Typhoon Usagi: Philippines Issues Highest Storm Alert as Super Storm Makes Landfall
Residents Reinforce Roofs as Philippines Prepares for Catastrophic Typhoon
MANILA: The Philippines raised its highest storm alert on Thursday, evacuating thousands of people as Super Typhoon Usagi barrels towards its already disaster-ravaged north.
Forecast and Impact
Usagi is expected to make landfall on the main island of Luzon, packing sustained winds of up to 185 km/h and causing "almost total damage to structures of light materials, especially in highly exposed coastal areas", as well as "heavy damage" to buildings otherwise considered "low-risk".
"Intense to torrential rain" and potentially "life-threatening" coastal waves of up to three metres (nine feet) were forecast over two days, with the storm warning raised to the highest signal on a five-step scale.
Evacuation Efforts
In Cagayan province, where the storm is expected to make landfall, officials worked in driving rain to remove residents along the coasts and on the banks of already swollen rivers. Over 1,404 residents have been sheltered at a municipal gym, while officials expect to evacuate up to 40,000 people to shelters.
"It’s a challenging situation for the people of Cagayan," said local disaster official Edward Gaspar. "Yesterday it was preemptive evacuations. Now we’re doing forced evacuations."
Aftermath of Previous Storms
Typhoon Usagi comes after a brutal wave of weather disturbances has already killed 159 people and prompted the United Nations to request $32.9 million in aid for the worst-affected regions.
"It’s a difficult situation," said UN Philippines Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez. "Typhoons are overlapping. As soon as communities attempt to recover from the shock, the next tropical storm is already hitting them again. In this context, the response capacity gets exhausted and budgets depleted."
Frequency of Storms
The Philippines is hit by over 20 big storms and typhoons each year, killing scores of people and keeping millions in enduring poverty. A recent study has shown that storms in the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and lasting longer over land due to climate change.
Conclusion
As the Philippines faces another severe typhoon, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that weather disturbances can have on communities. The need for emergency preparedness, rapid response, and sustainable climate-resilient infrastructure has never been more pressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current storm alert in the Philippines?
A: The Philippines has raised its highest storm alert due to Typhoon Usagi.
Q: How many people are expected to be affected by the storm?
A: Up to 40,000 people are expected to be evacuated to shelters.
Q: Has there been a previous disaster alert in the area?
A: Yes, earlier this month, Typhoon Yinxing struck the northern coast of Cagayan province, resulting in ongoing evacuations and response efforts.
Q: Is this a result of climate change?
A: According to a recent study, storms in the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and lasting longer over land due to climate change.