A powerful typhoon, named Man-yi, has caused widespread destruction in the northern Philippines, marking the sixth major storm to hit the country in less than a month. The typhoon made landfall in the eastern island province of Catanduanes with sustained winds of up to 195 kilometers per hour and gusts reaching 240 kph. The country's weather agency issued warnings of a potentially catastrophic situation in provinces along the typhoon's path.
Despite the intense winds and towering tidal surges, there have been no immediate reports of casualties. However, the typhoon has left a trail of devastation, knocking down trees, electricity posts, and damaging numerous houses. The entire province of Catanduanes is without power, with nearly half of its 80,000 residents seeking shelter in evacuation centers.
Emergency response teams are assessing the extent of the damage caused by Typhoon Man-yi, which comes on the heels of two previous storms that have already impacted the region. The relentless series of storms has forced almost 400,000 people to seek refuge in emergency shelters, including churches and a shopping mall.
The consecutive storms have taken a heavy toll on the Philippines, with over 160 people dead, 9 million affected, and extensive damage to residential areas, infrastructure, and farmlands. The situation has become so dire that the country may need to import more rice, a staple food for most Filipinos.
As the typhoon approached, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. convened an emergency meeting to prepare for the worst-case scenario. The storm has led to the temporary closure of numerous airports and the suspension of ferry services, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.
In response to the crisis, several countries, including the United States, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, have provided aid to support the overwhelmed disaster-response agencies in the Philippines. The country, known for its vulnerability to natural disasters, faces an average of 20 typhoons and storms annually, in addition to seismic activity and volcanic eruptions.