Guam emerges to find ‘major mess’ from Typhoon Mawar
After a rapid intensification, Typhoon Mawar has become the most powerful storm of 2023 globally, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre (JTWC).
Mawar’s peak winds have surged to 175 mph, accompanied by gusts nearing 210 mph, the JWTC said, as it heads towards the Philippines.
In its latest update, the state weather agency of the Philippines said Mawar has “slightly intensified while moving westwards over the Philippines sea”. This comes after the agency yesterday issued a notification that the cyclone has regained its status of a “super typhoon”.
The typhoon has also surpassed the strength of any storm recorded in 2022, experts say.
Typhoon Mawar’s intensification came after a brief weakening as it passed by Guam on Wednesday, lashing the island with heavy rains and winds that uprooted trees and blew away roofs and cars.
According to the Guam Power Authority, nearly all of the island’s 52,000 homes and businesses experienced power outages, with only 1,000 retaining electricity.
There are no reports of loss of life but extensive damage was reported, alongside localised flooding, fallen debris, and downed power lines.
