09/15/2018, 12.17
PHILIPPINES
Send to a friend

Super-typhoon Mangkhut hits the Philippines: 29 provinces in state of alert

Mangkhut made landfall in the north of the country, in Baggao (Cagayan), at 1.40am last night; it lifted the roof off the provincial government building in Cagayan and damaged Tuguegarao airport. At least 5.2 million people are in the typhoon’s path. At present, the authorities have not reported any deaths among the population.

Manila (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Super typhoon Mangkhut hit the Philippines in the early hours of today, maintaining strength and speed: 29 provinces of the country are on alert. The latest bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Ompong is already 85 kilometers west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. It is moving west northwest at 25 kilometers per hour (km/h). The typhoon continues to have maximum winds of 170 km/h and gustiness of up to 260 km/h.

The super typhoon hit land in the north of the country, in Baggao (Cagayan), at 1.40am overnight; it lifted the roof off the provincial government building in Cagayan and damaged Tuguegarao airport. The National Council for Risk Reduction and Disaster Management had previously estimated that at least 5.2 million people are on the typhoon’s path. At present, the authorities have not reported any deaths among the population. Thousands of people in the areas along the trajectory were evacuated yesterday.

Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur remain at risk of high tides of up to three meters, while at La Union and Pangasinan they could see peaks of two meters. Fishing vessels and other small vessels are advised not to venture into the coasts along the shores of Luzon, the archipelago of the Visayas islands and the northern and western regions of Mindanao. More than 6 thousand passengers have been blocked in different seaports. Domestic and international air flights have been canceled.

Based on his latest expert forecasts, Mangkhut could leave the Philippines Area of ​​Responsibility (Par) already this evening, and then reach the southern coast of China, including Hong Kong, and Vietnam.

TAGs
Send to a friend
Printable version
CLOSE X
See also
"We are optimistic," says Paul Bhatti as Rimsha Masih's bail hearing postponed to Friday
03/09/2012
For Fr Tom, abducted in Yemen, Holy Thursday prayer and adoration for the martyrs
21/03/2016 14:57
More migrants drown off Yemen’s coast
11/08/2017 20:05
Church leads the way in helping Vietnam cope with its educational emergency
11/03/2016 17:00
Catholic music to promote dialogue in Ambon, the city of sectarian violence
17/10/2018 13:29


Newsletter

Subscribe to Asia News updates or change your preferences

Subscribe now
“L’Asia: ecco il nostro comune compito per il terzo millennio!” - Giovanni Paolo II, da “Alzatevi, andiamo”