Super Typhoon Man-yi Pummels the Philippines

AFP/APP

Manila: Super Typhoon Man-yi struck the Philippines on Saturday, unleashing destructive winds and massive waves as authorities warned of a “potentially catastrophic and life-threatening” impact.

The typhoon made landfall on Catanduanes, a sparsely populated island province, with maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers (121 miles) per hour and gusts reaching up to 325 kilometers an hour. Waves as high as 14 meters (46 feet) battered the island, while storm surges of over three meters threatened coastal areas, including Manila.

More than 650,000 people evacuated their homes ahead of Man-yi, the sixth major storm to hit the country in the past month. Power was cut off on Catanduanes, leaving evacuation centers and disaster command centers dependent on generators.

“We’re hearing things breaking and falling, likely tree branches or other debris,” said Roberto Monterola, the provincial disaster operations chief. No casualties have been reported so far.

The typhoon follows a series of five storms in recent weeks, which collectively claimed at least 163 lives and displaced thousands. Experts attribute the increasing intensity of storms to climate change, which has led to heavier rainfall, stronger winds, and more frequent flooding.