A super typhoon is making its way toward the Philippines, and the country's weather forecasters are sounding the alarm. Super Typhoon Man-yi, known locally as Pepito, is intensifying and is expected to hit the archipelago with potentially catastrophic consequences. The Filipino populace is no stranger to typhoons, but this storm is threatening to be one of the most severe in recent weeks, as millions brace for high winds, heavy rains, and the risk of storm surges.
Forecasters have issued warnings of dangerously strong wind gusts reaching up to 240 kilometers per hour (about 149 miles per hour). Man-yi is forecasted to make landfall on the sparsely populated island province of Catanduanes later Saturday or early Sunday. This storm marks the sixth major weather event to strike the Philippines over the last month, leading to extensive evacuations and rising anxiety among residents.
Rescue and relief efforts are underway, with more than 650,000 people having evacuated their homes before Man-yi's expected arrival. Albay Province has seen significant movements of people to safety as they anticipate devastating impacts from this super typhoon. According to the weather service, about 7.6 million individuals are at risk due to storm surges, which may reach heights of up to three meters. The coastal regions, particularly northeastern Bicol, are especially vulnerable as the storm is projected to bring severe flooding and landslides.
The government has been proactive, urging citizens to heed evacuation orders. Marlo Iringan, the Interior Undersecretary, emphasized the importance of early evacuations, advising families not to delay their relocation until the storm is upon them. “If preemptive evacuation is required, let us do so and not wait for the hour of peril,” he stressed, emphasizing the collective responsibility to protect lives.
Among those evacuated is Myrna Perea, who sought refuge with her husband and three children inside a school classroom. The grisly realities of evacuation are palpable, with families crowded together on mats beneath the lone ceiling fan. Perea expressed concern about how her house—made of lightweight materials—might be obliterated by the storm. “Even if the house is destroyed, the important thing is we do not lose a family member,” she said, choosing safety over possessions.
Scientists have linked the severity of storms like Man-yi to climate change, which is believed to be causing more intense typhoons with heavier rainfall and stronger winds. The Philippines remains one of the nations most affected by such weather events, averaging about 20 significant storms each year. Recent months have highlighted this vulnerability, as the country has grappled with multiple destructive storms within short timeframes, which experts note is becoming more common.
The situation has prompted forced evacuations across various regions, including Catanduanes, where disaster management authorities have been actively relocating families from coastal areas. There are accounts of over 400 evacuees seeking shelter within the local government building as evacuation centers reach capacity. Meanwhile, ports have closed, leaving nearly 4,000 individuals stranded as coastal authorities halted operations to protect lives amid Man-yi's advance.
The local government of Naga City invoked curfew measures to keep residents indoors and safe from potential dangers outside. With the announcement of heavy rainfall and strong winds extending beyond the expected landfall zone, residents are reminded to remain vigilant even when they feel secure.
For many, the impact of Man-yi could be devastating both physically and financially. Northern Samar province’s disaster management officer, Rei Josiah Echano, voiced the cyclical nature of recovery, lamenting how the recurrent typhoons create lasting poverty issues. “Whenever there’s a typhoon like this, it brings us back to the medieval era,” he remarked, calling the relentless storms their undoing.
Efforts to combat the threat of flooding do not stop at evacuations. The volcanology agency has also issued warnings about lahars—fast-moving flows of volcanic debris—potentially triggered by intense rainfall from Man-yi, particularly concerning due to the three volcanoes south of Manila, including Taal.
Interestingly, Man-yi arrives later than the typical peak of the typhoon season, which usually occurs between July and October. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported simultaneous occurrences of four different storms earlier this month, marking the first such situation for November since 1951, illustrating the unusual and alarming weather patterns impacting the region.
Active monitoring of Super Typhoon Man-yi continues, as the situation evolves and authorities work to manage both the immediate threat and the long-term impacts of this latest storm. The road to recovery may be long, but communities across the Philippines are once again showing resilience and solidarity as they prepare to face another trial from nature's wrath.
