Super Typhoon Man-yi hit the Philippines’ most populous island on Sunday, bringing widespread warnings of flooding, landslides, and massive waves as it continued its path across the archipelago.
The storm, which made landfall on Catanduanes Island late on Saturday, was still packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour (115 miles per hour) as it advanced.
In anticipation of the storm, over 1.2 million people evacuated their homes, with authorities stressing the “life-threatening” potential of Man-yi, which follows an unusually violent streak of extreme weather. The typhoon caused significant damage on Catanduanes, uprooting trees, downing power lines, and destroying fragile homes in the typhoon-prone Bicol region. Though no deaths have been reported, there has been extensive structural damage, according to civil defense chief Ariel Nepomuceno.
As Man-yi continued its journey, it remained a super typhoon as it approached the heavily populated Luzon region, the economic heart of the country. Forecasters cautioned of a “potentially dangerous” situation in Aurora province, but noted that the storm would likely weaken as it crossed the mountainous areas of the island.
Still, authorities warned of severe flooding and landslides, with intense to torrential rain expected in several provinces in the storm’s path. Coastal communities, including areas in Manila, were also at risk of storm surges up to three meters high.
Panganiban municipality in northeastern Catanduanes bore the brunt of the storm’s impact. Mayor Cesar Robles shared photos and a drone video on Facebook showing widespread destruction, including fallen power lines, damaged buildings, and trees and debris scattered across the roads.
