Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine authorities said on November 3 that thousands of residents in coastal provinces have been evacuated as Typhoon Kalmaegi is expected to make landfall in the central region of the Southeast Asian nation.
Typhoon Kalmaegi is moving toward Leyte Island with sustained winds of around 120km/h and gusts reaching up to 150km/h, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
Evacuation operations are underway in several areas, including Palo and Tanauan, which were among the localities heavily devastated by super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
On nearby Samar Island, thousands of residents have also been relocated to safe shelters since November 2 due to forecasts of waves as high as 3 metres. Some local governments, including Guiuan town, have enforced mandatory evacuations to ensure public safety.
In Dinagat Islands province, Governor Nilo Demerey reported that around 10,000–15,000 people have been moved to safer locations over the past two days. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying areas, particularly in Loreto town, to head to higher ground to avoid flooding and storm surges.
Kalmaegi is forecast to intensify into a severe typhoon within the next 24 hours, with maximum winds of 150–165km/h upon landfall. Based on current meteorological data, it could reach super typhoon strength and hit parts of the Philippines before moving into the East Sea on November 5. In response, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Western Visayas has been placed on its highest alert level.
The Philippines, which experiences an average of 20 storms annually, frequently suffers heavy losses, especially in poverty-stricken areas. Scientists warn that climate change is making storms increasingly intense and destructive./.
