Philippines – Super Typhoon ‘Noru’ heads towards Manila with winds of more than 185 kilometers per hour
Super Typhoon ‘Noru’, known in the Philippines as ‘Karding’, is heading directly towards the Philippine capital Manila and has already caused heavy rains and strong sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 240 kilometers per hour.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has reported that the storm has made landfall on the Philippines’ main island of Luzon.
‘Noru’ first made landfall at 5:30 p.m. near Bordeaux, Quezon Island, and arrived at Dingalan, Aurora province, Luzon Island, at about 8:20 p.m.
Its trajectory clearly takes it westward and it is advancing at about 20 kilometers per hour, so it is expected to affect Manila in the next few hours.
At landfall, the storm has weakened slightly, but many areas remain at Level 5 alert. Pagasa has issued a red alert for possible severe flooding for Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Nueva Ecija.
In addition, a Level 4 alert warning is in effect for the next 12 hours, which could cause significant property damage and pose a threat to life in the surrounding area. Moderate to heavy rainfall warnings have also been issued for Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite and Batangas.
More than 1,200 people are isolated in Calabarzon and Bicol, as reported by the Philippine Coast Guard and reported by ABS-CBN television.
Another 300 have already had to leave their homes in Dingalan, in the province of Aurora, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMC), which warns of upcoming evacuations in the area.
Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced the suspension of activity in the public sector and education for this Monday on the island of Luzon. Marcos posted on Facebook that he has approved the recommendation of the CNRRGD.
