Damage control: Residents removing debris and repairing a roof in Panganiban town, Catanduanes province, after Man-yi hit the province. The super typhoon uprooted trees, brought down power lines and ripped off corrugated iron roofing as it swept across the storm-weary Philippines. — AFP
Super Typhoon Man-yi slammed into the archipelago’s most populous island, with the national weather service warning of flooding, landslides and huge waves as the storm sweeps across the nation.
Man-yi was still packing maximum sustained winds of 185kph after making its first landfall late Saturday on the lightly-populated Catanduanes island.
More than 1.2 million people fled their homes ahead of Man-yi as the weather forecaster warned of a “life-threatening” impact from the powerful storm, which follows an unusual streak of violent weather.
Man-yi uprooted trees, brought down power lines and smashed flimsy houses to pieces after hitting Catanduanes in the typhoon-prone Bicol region.
No deaths have been reported, but there was “extensive” damage to structures on Catanduanes, civil defence chief Ariel Nepomuceno said.
Man-yi remained a super typhoon as it hit heavily populated Luzon – the country’s economic engine – forecasters said, warning of a “potentially dangerous” situation in Aurora province.
“Significant weakening” was expected as it traversed the mountainous island, the weather service said. But it added that severe flooding and landslides were expected as Man-yi dumped “intense to torrential” rain over provinces in its path.
Forecasters also warned storm surges of up to more than three metres could swamp vulnerable coastal communities, including in Manila.
Panganiban municipality in the northeast of Catanduanes took a direct hit from Man-yi.
Photos and a drone video shared on the Facebook page of Mayor Cesar Robles showed fallen power lines, damaged and destroyed buildings, and trees and corrugated iron sheets strewn on the roads.
“Pepito was so strong, I have never experienced a typhoon this strong,” Robles said in a post, using the local name for Man-yi, as clean-up efforts got underway and people returned home.
“It is still a bit unsafe, there are still bursts of wind and there are many debris.”
Man-yi is the sixth storm in the past month to batter the nation. — AFP
