A super typhoon, named Man-yi locally as Pepito, is currently posing a significant threat to the Philippines. The typhoon made its initial landfall on the coast of Catanduanes province and is now heading towards the main island of Luzon. It is expected to make a second landfall on Sunday afternoon, according to the country's meteorological agency PAGASA.
Man-yi is the fourth typhoon to hit the Philippines in less than two weeks, with a projected course that could impact a larger population compared to the previous storms. The typhoon is expected to weaken as it moves across Luzon, but it still presents a potentially dangerous and life-threatening situation, with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 230 km/h.
Preparations for the typhoon have been underway, with over half a million people evacuated in Luzon's Bicol region. Evacuations have also taken place in other provinces, with thousands of individuals seeking shelter in evacuation centers. While no casualties have been reported so far, the typhoon has caused damage to homes, schools, and commercial buildings in Catanduanes.
The storm is expected to bring severe weather conditions, including storm surges, damaging winds, power outages, flooding, and landslides across eastern Luzon. By Sunday night, it is projected to exit the Philippines' main islands.
Experts warn that Southeast Asia is highly vulnerable to climate-related disasters, such as extreme weather events. Warmer ocean temperatures this year have provided energy for storms to strengthen and grow, with human activities contributing to this phenomenon. The region has already experienced devastating flooding earlier this year, and the impact of powerful typhoons like Man-yi underscores the urgent need for climate resilience measures.
