The Philippine government has issued an urgent warning, calling on residents in low-lying and coastal areas to evacuate ahead of Super Typhoon Man-Yi. This is the sixth typhoon to hit the country in a month, packing maximum sustained winds of 121 mph (195 km/h) and gusts of up to 149 mph (240 km/h). PAGASA has raised the storm alert to the highest level for the provinces of Catanduanes and Camarines Sur due to the threat of flooding and storm surges reaching up to 10 feet (3 meters).
More than 500,000 residents have been evacuated, with numbers expected to rise further. The typhoon is forecast to make landfall late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, posing a threat to the capital, Manila. Numerous flights have been canceled, while over 40,000 rescue personnel and 2,000 vehicles, including naval vessels, are on standby for emergency operations.
The Philippines faces an average of 20 typhoons annually, often causing significant damage. Referring to the current situation, Nepomuceno emphasized, “Our goal is zero casualties.