Landslides caused by Typhoon Yutu have killed five people and buried more than 30 others in mountainous provinces of northern Luzon in the Philippines, as it barreled across the country with heavy rains and strong winds.
The death toll in the Philippines from Typhoon Mangkhut has climbed to 81 and could hit a triple-digit figure as searchers are still looking for missing people, Philippine authorities said on September 19.
President Tran Dai Quang and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 18 extended their condolences to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte over the tragic loss caused by Typhoon Mangkhut in the country.
Philippine and Chinese authorities are still counting the death toll and damage caused by Typhoon Mangkhut, the strongest storm in the world in the last two years.
Typhoon Mangkhut cost the Philippines a total of 250,730 tonnes of paddy rice after it hit across the nation’s northern provinces over the weekend, according to initial official estimates. The figure exceeded a previous forecast by 60 percent.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on September 17 repeated his desire to shut all mines in the country following deadly landslides that some government officials and large miners said have been exacerbated by illegal small-scale mining.
At least 30 miners were killed and 13 others went missing in a landslide, triggered by Typhoon Mangkhut, in Itogon town, the Philippines’ northern province of Benguet.
Northern and north-central localities have taken measures to prepare themselves for super typhoon Mangkhut, which is forecast to bring heavy rains and whirlwind to the regions on September 17-18.
Philippine authorities said on September 16 the death toll by super typhoon Mangkhut that swept through Luzon Island, north of the Philippines, has climbed to 25.
At least three people were killed and four others were injured after Super Typhoon Mangkhut made a landfall in the Philippines on early September 15, the country’s disaster officials said.
Super Typhoon Mangkhut hit Cagayan province on Luzon Island, north of the Philippines, at 1:40 am (local time) on September 15, sustaining wind speeds of over 200km per hour and causing power blackouts in some areas.
Super Typhoon Mangkhut, the strongest typhoon so far this year, is predicted to hit Vietnam’s northern region on September 17 morning and bring heavy downpours and strong winds to 27 northern and north central provinces and cities.
Philippine authorities on September 14 raised its storm warning and warned of major destruction, hours before super typhoon Mangkhut was due to make landfall with fierce winds and drenching rains.
Super Typhoon Mangkhut is forecast to hit the northern mainland of Vietnam on September 17 and 18, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHF).