Philippine authorities have issued an evacuation order as super typhoon Man-Yi, locally named Pepito, intensifies and approaches Luzon Island with winds of up to 195 kph (121 mph) and gusts reaching 240 kph, Reuters reports.
The typhoon, the sixth tropical cyclone to hit the country in a month, is projected to make landfall late Saturday or early Sunday and is expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, floods, and storm surges of up to 3 meters (10 feet). Authorities have raised the highest storm alert for the Bicol region, where over 500,000 people have already been evacuated. The storm has caused flight cancellations and Metro Manila is expected to experience heavy rains.
The Philippines faces an unusually high number of tropical storms this year, with over 162 casualties from previous storms in October. Nearly 40,000 personnel and over 2,000 vehicles, including navy vessels, are on standby for rescue and relief operations, with officials aiming for zero casualties.
