In Philippines, thousands of people have been evacuated and government offices have been closed as super typhoon Noru lashes the country’s eastern islands.
Typhoon Noru has caused gusts of up to 240 Kilometer per hour on the main island Luzon, where more than half of the country’s 110 million population live. Forecasters say the storm experienced an explosive intensification as it made landfall west of Luzon.
The storm could cause landslides, flash flooding, and dangerous storm surges.
More than 8,400 people have already been evacuated from its path, and officials have issued warnings of serious flooding in areas of the capital, Manila.
National police chief Gen Rodolfo Azurin urged people to comply with evacuation orders.
The storm’s intensity increased by 90 Kilometer per hour in 24 hours which according to the forecasters is unprecedented. The Philippines weather service has issued a wind signal five for Luzon, the highest warning level which marks Noru as a super-typhoon.
The severity of the storm can be detected from the fact that fishermen in Quezon Province, east of Manila, have been prevented from heading to sea, and there were reports of some areas being without power. Flights and ferry services have been canceled.
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