Mass evacuations as Typhoon Rai hits the Philippines

Weather bureau reports ‘very destructive typhoon-force winds’ as International Red Cross warns residents to brace for one of the strongest storms of the year.

Tens of thousands of people are being evacuated from their homes in the central and southern Philippines as a powerful typhoon quickly gathers strength before making landfall.

The latest report from the Philippine weather bureau, PAGASA, said that Typhoon Rai is undergoing “rapid intensification” as it barrels towards the island province of Dinagat and Surigao provinces in the mid-eastern section of the country.

According to PAGASA’s typhoon tracker, Typhoon Rai made its first landfall in Surigao del Norte’s Siargao Island at 0530 GMT.

PAGASA said wind speed has accelerated to 195km (121 miles) per hour near the center with gustiness of up to 240km (149 miles) per hour, moving west-northwest as of 0530 GMT.

It warned of “very destructive typhoon-force winds” in some parts of the country within the next 12 hours. Rough seas and storm surges in coastal sections, as well as flooding and landslides in mountainous areas along the typhoon’s path, are also expected.

Sailors have also been advised by PAGASA to remain in port or take shelter as sea conditions “are risky for all types of sea vessels”.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the US Navy has declared Rai as a super typhoon.

The typhoon is the 15th to hit the country this year.

In a brief statement posted on social media, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said its affiliate in the Philippines “is urgently helping people stay safe in several cities as they brace for one of the strongest storms of the year”.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES