In brief
With winds reaching 195 km/h, Super Typhoon Man-Yi has hit the Philippines, leading to severe weather warnings, evacuations of over 500,000 people, and increasing fears of flooding and landslides. Experts note an unusual uptick in storms this November.
A catastrophic super typhoon, known as Man-Yi or Pepito, has made landfall in the Philippines, marking the sixth storm to batter the country within a month. The weather agency reported that the typhoon hit at 21:40 local time (13:40 GMT) with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h (121 mph) along the eastern coast of Catanduanes island.As the storm approached, authorities issued warnings of a “life-threatening storm surge” alongside heavy rains and fierce winds, prompting evacuations for hundreds of thousands of residents ahead of its arrival. Tragically, at least 160 people have lost their lives in the previous storms that have struck the archipelago.Forecasts indicate that Super Typhoon Man-Yi will result in widespread rainfall over northern regions, with estimates of over 300mm (11 inches) expected within the next two days. This situation heightens the risk of flooding and mudslides, particularly given that winds are expected to peak at 270 km/h, with wave heights reaching up to 15m (49ft) along the eastern coastline. The capital, Manila, is likely to endure milder winds as the storm veers northward before traversing Luzon, the most populous island, and moving offshore by Monday.Reports suggest that as many as 500,000 individuals have fled their homes. Ariel Nepomuceno, head of the country’s civil defense, stressed the importance of following evacuation orders, stating that danger is amplified in landslide-prone areas due to the saturated ground following consecutive storms.Residents in vulnerable areas are expressing their fears. Glenda Llamas shared her apprehension from a shelter in Albay province, stating, “We are terrified of the typhoon, as it may intensify and the waters can rise.” Melchor Bilay echoed similar sentiments as he evacuated to a school in Sorsogon province, voicing mental scars left by past disasters like floods and strong winds.While typhoons are frequent in the Philippines, forecasters highlight the peculiarity of facing an unusual number of tropical storms within the Pacific this November. Notably, Tropical Storm Trami wreaked havoc in late October, dumping an entire month’s worth of rain in the northern areas, leading to dozens of fatalities. Subsequent storms like Typhoon Kong-rey and Usagi have further compounded the devastation, causing fatalities and severe damages.Climate experts from the IPCC warn that although the frequency of tropical cyclones may not rise, increases in rainfall rates and wind speeds are likely, suggesting that a larger proportion of storms may escalate to more intense categories.
