Manila (VNA) - Typhoon Matmo made landfall in Dinapigue town of Isabela province on Luzon islands of the northern Philippines on October 3 afternoon.
At landfall, the storm packed maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As it moved inland across Luzon, Matmo slightly weakened but continued to lash vast agricultural plains and mountainous provinces, with sustained winds of 120 km/h and gusts reaching up to 200 km/h. Its centre was located near Mayoyao town in Ifugao province. PAGASA maintained Signal No. 4 warnings in many parts of the island.
PAGASA forecast that Matmo will enter the East Sea on October 4, tracking towards southern China. It warned that strong winds and heavy rain could affect not only areas directly in the typhoon’s path but also neighbouring regions, including the capital Manila.
Matmo is the 16th tropical typhoon to hit the Philippines this year. Just a week earlier, Typhoon Bualoi, called storm No.10 in Vietnam, battered the country, leaving at least 37 people dead and forcing thousands to evacuate.
The Philippines, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is struck by around 20 typhoons annually./.
