The Philippines has raised its highest storm alert and evacuated thousands of people as it prepares for Super Typhoon Usagi, the fifth major storm to hit the country in just three weeks, Al Jazeera reports.
The powerful storm, packing sustained winds of up to 115mph, is set to make landfall in the already storm-battered northern part of Luzon island on Thursday.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged residents in the affected areas to “heed the warning” of local governments, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation. A string of recent storms has already claimed the lives of 159 people and prompted the United Nations to request $32.9 million in aid for the worst-affected regions.
The national weather agency warned of “almost total damage to structures of light materials, especially in highly exposed coastal areas,” and “heavy damage” to buildings considered “low risk” during regular weather conditions. Intense to torrential rainfall and potentially “life-threatening” coastal waves of up to 9 feet are also forecast over the next two days.
In anticipation of Usagi’s arrival, officials in northern Cagayan province, where the super typhoon is expected to make landfall, are working tirelessly to move residents from coastal areas and along the banks of swollen rivers to safety. Cagayan’s civil defence chief Rueli Rapsing anticipates evacuating approximately 40,000 people, similar to the number preemptively moved ahead of Typhoon Yinxing earlier this month.
Over 5,000 Cagayan residents are still sheltering in evacuation centers following the previous storms, as the Cagayan River, the country’s largest, remains swollen from heavy rain that fell in upstream provinces.
Adding to the nation’s anxieties, Tropical Storm Man-yi is also forecast to strike around the capital Manila this weekend.
The Philippines is frequently battered by typhoons, with approximately 20 major storms and typhoons affecting the country or its surrounding waters each year. These storms trigger floods, cause widespread destruction, and tragically claim the lives of countless individuals, keeping millions in enduring poverty.
Researchers have highlighted the concerning trend of storms in the Asia Pacific region forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly, and lasting longer over land due to climate change.
The Philippines is also susceptible to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, making it one of the world’s most disaster-prone nations.
