- विज्ञापन -
Manila: Wipha has strengthened into a severe tropical storm as it moved away from the Philippines on Saturday, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to several regions, including Metro Manila.
According to PAGASA, the Philippine weather bureau, Wipha exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 10 a.m. local time and is now heading west-northwest toward southern China. The storm is expected to intensify further and may reach typhoon strength by Sunday afternoon or evening.
The weather bulletin warned that wind signals indicate a broad wind threat across affected areas, with local winds potentially being more intense in coastal and mountainous regions.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that approximately 96,791 people across the Philippines have been impacted by Wipha’s heavy rains, which have caused flooding and landslides in multiple areas. The storm also led to two individuals going missing.
Last November, the country faced the devastating impact of super typhoon Man-yi, which made landfall in Catanduanes, Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 195 km/h and gusts up to 240 km/h. The typhoon caused widespread destruction, including over 160 fatalities from flooding and landslides, displacing millions and damaging crops and infrastructure. Multiple provinces declared states of calamity amid the extensive damage. Since January 2024, the Philippines has been affected by 16 tropical cyclones, with an average of 20 typhoons annually bringing intense rain, destructive winds, and deadly landslides.
