Philippines Braces for Another Storm as Typhoon Usagi Weakens

Typhoon Usagi, which made landfall in the Philippines on Thursday afternoon, has weakened sharply on Friday after bearing down on the country’s northern towns. The storm, known locally as Ofel, has blown away houses in its path, leaving thousands of families living in vulnerable communities to flee ahead of its arrival.

Typhoon Usagi Makes Landfall

Usagi, the 15th cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, intensified into a super typhoon as it made landfall in the town of Baggao in Cagayan province. The Philippine meteorological agency Pag-asa has since reported that the storm has weakened and is now headed towards Taiwan.

Another Storm Brewing

Meanwhile, authorities are bracing for another typhoon, Man-yi, which could hit eastern towns and the capital region over the weekend. Man-yi is expected to continue intensifying in the western Pacific and could become a supertyphoon on early Sunday, according to Pag-asa.

Damage Assessment Underway

No casualties have been reported from Usagi, but officials are still probing the extent of the damage from the storm. Rueli Rapsing, head of the Cagayan disaster relief office, said town officials are still moving around assessing the damage, stating, “There were more homes that were partially or totally blown after Marce (Typhoon Yinxing). Currently, we’re moving around assessing the damage.”

Preemptive Evacuations Underway

Preemptive evacuations of vulnerable residents in Typhoon Man-yi’s path will begin on Friday. Pag-asa has warned of a storm surge of up to 3 meters (10 feet) in coastal towns of the central provinces, as Man-yi’s center was last estimated around 795km (494 miles) east of the central town of Guian in Eastern Samar province.

Philippines Dealing with Sixth Storm in a Month

The Philippines is dealing with its sixth storm in a month, mainly hitting the main island of Luzon. Tropical Storm Trami and Typhoon Kong-rey brought heavy flooding and triggered landslides, killing 162 people with 22 still missing, according to government data.

Rare Occurrence of Four Storms Simultaneously

This month has seen a rare occurrence of four storms churned in the western Pacific ocean at the same time, the first time it has happened since records began in 1951, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. On average, about 20 tropical storms strike the Philippines each year, bringing heavy rains, strong winds, and deadly landslides.

Conclusion

As the Philippines continues to grapple with the aftermath of Typhoon Usagi, authorities are preparing for the next storm, Man-yi, which could bring even more destruction to the already affected areas. It is essential for residents to follow evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many storms has the Philippines been hit with this year?
A: The Philippines has been hit with 15 storms this year, including Typhoon Usagi.

Q: What is the current status of Typhoon Usagi?
A: Typhoon Usagi has weakened and is now headed towards Taiwan.

Q: When is Typhoon Man-yi expected to hit the Philippines?
A: Typhoon Man-yi is expected to hit the Philippines over the weekend.

Q: What is the current status of Typhoon Man-yi?
A: Typhoon Man-yi is expected to continue intensifying in the western Pacific and could become a supertyphoon on early Sunday.

Q: What are the authorities doing to prepare for Typhoon Man-yi?
A: Authorities are conducting preemptive evacuations of vulnerable residents in Typhoon Man-yi’s path and warning of a storm surge of up to 3 meters (10 feet) in coastal towns of the central provinces.