The Philippines braces for another powerful storm as Typhoon Man-yi approaches, bringing winds of up to 150 kilometers per hour. Expected to make landfall on Catanduanes Island late Saturday, authorities have initiated mass evacuations, moving hundreds of residents to safer areas.
Roberto Monterola, operations chief of the Catanduanes civil defense office, expressed concern over the lack of sufficient evacuation centers. “Some evacuees will need to shelter with neighbors whose homes are built with stronger materials,” he stated, adding that thousands more are expected to evacuate before the typhoon strikes.
This comes as the nation is still reeling from Typhoon Usagi, which caused extensive flooding, uprooted trees, and damaged infrastructure in Kaigan Province earlier this week. Rescue workers continue to aid stranded individuals in Northern Luzon, where Usagi, now a tropical storm, left significant destruction before weakening to 110 kilometers per hour.
The Philippines has endured five major storms in the past three weeks, resulting in at least 163 fatalities. The United Nations has appealed for $32.9 million in aid to support affected regions. If Typhoon Man-yi makes landfall, it will be the 16th typhoon to hit the country this year, underscoring the urgency for relief efforts as the nation grapples with relentless weather disasters.