Super Typhoon Man-yi hits the Philippines, 650,000 people evacuated

Super Typhoon Man-yi began making landfall in the central Philippines on November 16 with maximum wind speeds of 195 km/h, with a “potentially catastrophic” path warning for the archipelago. This is the sixth major storm to hit the island nation in the past month.

The Philippine weather agency said Typhoon Manyi made landfall in the sparsely populated island province of Catanduanes with waves up to 14 meters high and wind gusts of up to 325 kilometers per hour.

The storm is forecast to bring waves up to 3 meters high, threatening the capital Manila and other coastal areas in the next 48 hours.

It is forecast that on the afternoon of November 18, Typhoon Man-yi will sweep across Luzon, the most populous island and economic engine of the Philippines, with the intensity likely to remain at super typhoon level.

The government has urged people to heed warnings to protect life and property. More than 650,000 people have been evacuated ahead of Cyclone Manyi.

The volcanology agency also warned that heavy rains from Super Typhoon Manyi could trigger sediment flows from three volcanoes, including Taal, south of Manila.

At least 163 people have died in five typhoons that have hit the Philippines in recent weeks, leaving thousands homeless and destroying the country's crops and livestock.