2024-11-17 05:28:00
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — A powerful typhoon swept through the northern Philippines on Sunday, destroying homes and triggering huge storm surges that forced hundreds of thousands of people into emergency shelters in less than a month. China’s sixth great storm.
Typhoon Manyi hit the eastern island province of Catanduanes on Saturday night, with sustained winds of up to 195 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 240 kilometers per hour. The country’s meteorological agency warned of “potentially catastrophic and deadly” conditions in provinces along the route.
There were no initial reports of casualties from the typhoon, which was expected to move northwest on Sunday across northern Luzon, the archipelago’s most populous region. The capital, Metro Manila, may not be directly hit, but like surrounding areas, the area is under a storm watch and has a dangerous storm surge warning.
“It rained very little but the wind was very strong and there was an eerie whistling sound,” Catanduanes disaster relief official Roberto Monterola told The Associated Press by phone. “Along one of the main avenues here, The storm surge reached more than 7 meters near the beach houses. “It looked really scary. “
He said the entire province of Catanduanes was without power after the typhoon downed trees and power poles, and disaster relief teams were checking how many homes were damaged in addition to those affected by previous storms.
“We need tin roofs and other building materials, as well as food. Neighbors here tell us that they have not yet recovered from the last storm and were hit by this typhoon. Nearly half of the island province’s 80,000 residents Taking shelter in an evacuation center.
Authorities in Catanduanes were so worried about the arrival of the new meteor that they threatened to arrest vulnerable residents if they did not heed orders to evacuate to safer locations. Welfare Secretary Irene Dumlao and provincial officials told The Associated Press that nearly 400,000 people were in emergency shelters such as churches and shopping malls due to Hurricane Many and two previous storms mainly in the northern Philippines. Seek asylum.
The Philippines may have to import more after Luzon was hit by rare storms and typhoons in just three weeks, killing more than 160 people, affecting 9 million people and causing widespread damage to residential communities, infrastructure and farmland. Do rice, and rice is a staple food for most Filipinos. In an emergency meeting as Manyi approached, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked his cabinet and provincial officials to prepare for “the worst-case scenario.”
At least 26 domestic airports and two international airports were temporarily closed due to rough sea conditions, and inter-island ferry and cargo services were suspended, leaving thousands of passengers stranded, according to the Philippine Civil Aviation Authority and the Coast Guard.
Manila’s treaty ally the United States, as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei, provided cargo flights and other storm assistance to assist overwhelmed government disaster relief agencies. Last month, the first major storm, Trami, brought a month or two’s worth of rain to several villages in just 24 hours, killing dozens of people.
There are about 20 typhoons and storms in the Philippines every year. It is frequently hit by earthquakes and has more than a dozen active volcanoes, making it one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world.
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This story was translated from English by AP editors with the help of generated artificial intelligence tools.
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What are the immediate needs of the residents affected by Typhoon Manyi in Catanduanes?
**Interview with Disaster Relief Official Roberto Monterola**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Roberto. The reports from Catanduanes following Typhoon Manyi are quite alarming. Can you describe the situation on the ground right now?
**Roberto Monterola:** Thank you for having me. The situation is extremely challenging here. As you mentioned, Typhoon Manyi hit us with fierce winds, reaching up to 240 kilometers per hour in gusts. The storm surge was devastating, with heights over 7 meters near the beach homes. The eerie sound of the wind has left many residents feeling anxious and fearful. We are currently assessing the extent of the damage, but it’s clear that homes have been destroyed and essential services are out, especially electricity, as many trees and power poles were blown down.
**Editor:** What are you hearing from the community regarding their needs at this time?
**Roberto Monterola:** The community is in urgent need of basic supplies. Many residents, nearly half of the 80,000 people in our province, are now in emergency shelters. We require immediate assistance in the form of tin roofs and other building materials to help those who’ve lost their homes. Food is also a critical need at this moment. Unfortunately, many families are still recovering from previous storms and this new disaster has compounded their struggles.
**Editor:** Authorities have taken a rather strict approach to ensure evacuations. Can you elaborate on that?
**Roberto Monterola:** Yes, local authorities were very concerned about the potential danger posed by Typhoon Manyi, especially given how quickly it developed. There was a real need to ensure everyone was safe. Some officials stated they would enforce evacuations, insisting that residents move to safer locations despite their hesitation. Their safety is our top priority, and we must do everything possible to prevent loss of life.
**Editor:** How can the public help those affected by Typhoon Manyi?
**Roberto Monterola:** The public can assist us in many ways—donations of food, clothing, and building materials are essential. Additionally, spreading the word about the need for assistance can help bring more support to our province. We appreciate the solidarity shown by individuals and organizations who want to help us get back on our feet.
**Editor:** Thank you, Roberto, for providing us with this crucial insight. Our thoughts are with you and the residents of Catanduanes during this difficult time.
**Roberto Monterola:** Thank you for covering our situation. Every bit of awareness helps us tremendously.
