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The Philippine weather agency has issued evacuation orders for coastal communities as Super Typhoon Doksuri moves towards the northern region of the country.
Known locally as "Egay", the powerful storm has maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph) and will make landfall near the sparsely populated Babuyan Islands or the northeastern province of Cagayan on Wednesday, according to the latest bulletin at 0300 GMT.
Residents in the northwest and northeast of Cagayan province have been instructed to evacuate their homes as storm surges, possibly exceeding three meters (10 feet), posed a significant threat. The Babuyan Islands, three of which are inhabited, have an estimated population of around 20,000.
Local disaster official Charles Castillejos reported that efforts were being made to persuade those living near the coasts to move to safer areas, while fishermen were advised to secure their boats.
Science and technology secretary Renato Solidum stressed the importance of typhoon preparedness, emphasizing the rapidity of events during such natural disasters. He urged the public to be aware of storm surges, high winds and possible flooding.
In the northern province of Isabela, on the border with Cagayan, farmers were seen driving their cattle to higher ground in anticipation of the storm's impact.
As Super Typhoon Doksuri approached, ships including wooden outriggers and passenger ferries were ordered to dock in Luzon and the central islands due to gale warnings, stranding more than 11,000 people, the Philippine Coast Guard reported.
By noon on Wednesday, the storm was projected to have already deposited more than 200 millimeters (7.9 inches) of rain on the islands and northern Cagayan, including Babuyan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur islands. The weather agency warned of heavy rains in the northern mountainous regions, increasing the likelihood of flooding and landslides.
Known to be hit by approximately 20 major storms a year, the Philippines faces a recurring challenge with these types of natural disasters, resulting in significant loss of life, livestock and vital infrastructure. Scientists have pointed to climate change as a factor contributing to the intensification of these storms.
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