Super Typhoon Man-yi makes landfall twice, devastating many areas in the Philippines

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Typhoon Man-yi made its first landfall at 9:40 p.m. on November 16 in Panganiban, Catanduanes and made its second landfall at 3:20 p.m. on November 17 in Dipaculao, Aurora.

The super typhoon made landfall in Catanduanes province overnight on November 16 with sustained winds of up to 195 km/h and gusts of up to 240 km/h. The country's weather agency warned of a "catastrophic and life-threatening situation" in provinces along the storm's path.

“There was very little rain, but the wind was very strong and there was a terrible howling sound,” Roberto Monterola, a disaster mitigation agency official in Catanduanes, told reporters by phone. “Along a main avenue here, the tide was up to 7 meters near the houses by the sea. It was really scary.”

He said the entire province of Catanduanes was without power after the storm toppled trees and power poles, damaging many major structures. Disaster response teams were still assessing the damage. “Villagers here say they have not survived the previous storm and now this one has hit them,” he added. “Nearly half of the province’s 80,000 people are taking shelter in evacuation centers.”

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), as of the end of November 17, more than 852,000 people nationwide have been affected by Typhoon Man-yi, including two injured in Central Luzon, with no deaths or missing reported. In addition, a total of 75,581 people are staying in evacuation centers, while 36,077 have sought shelter elsewhere.

Philippine Army units have deployed Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) teams to areas in Luzon affected by Typhoon Man-yi. The 9th Infantry Division deployed 81 HADR teams in Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate to support search and rescue operations. The 2nd Infantry Division also deployed rescue personnel and three KM450 trucks to the towns of Buenavista and San Rafael in Quezon province and Capalonga, Camarines Norte to support response operations in those areas. Meanwhile, the 59th Infantry Battalion also deployed two military trucks to support the Quezon provincial government’s rescue efforts.

Also on November 17, the country's Ministry of Health announced that it was ready to assist those displaced by Typhoon Man-yi. "Government agencies are working to evacuate people from areas prone to flooding and landslides as soon as possible. The ministry is ready to support the health care needs of evacuees whether they go to health care facilities or evacuation centers," said Health Minister Ted Herbosa.

The Philippine Department of Health has also prepared health centers, rural health units and alternate command centers to respond to those affected by Typhoon Man-yi in the capital Manila area.