Typhoon Mangkhut approaching Philippines
Emergency services have been put in place as the authorities in Philippines have warned of Typhoon Mangkhut, a category 5 storm, fast approaching the country. Warnings indicate the typhoon could be as devastating as a super typhoon in 2013 which caused over 6,000 deaths.
According to the local media, help and emergency services personnel have been deployed in Luzon Island, the northernmost region of the country, where Mangkhut is expected to make landfall on Saturday morning.
The executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) confirmed preparations for the worst-case scenario are underway by the government units.
Emergency equipment by the Red Cross have been mobilised in the north of the country.
It has also warned that there are about 10 million people residing in areas where the typhoon is expected to pass.
The meteorological agency said the centre of Mangkhut on Thursday morning was 725 km from the coast of Luzon, with sustained winds of 205 km per hour and gusts of 255 km per hour.
It is expected to be the most powerful storm to hit the Philippines this year and will be re-categorised as a super typhoon like Haiyan if its sustained winds exceed 220 km per hour.
Torrential rains and strong winds of Mangkhut are expected to cause floods, landslides and giant waves throughout the island of Luzon, where the country's main agricultural sites are concentrated.
Nearly 15 to 20 typhoons hit the Philippines each year during the monsoon season, which began June 8 this year and will likely end between November and December.
