Philippine authorities warn of flooding, landslides from offshore Typhoon Mekkhala
8 reported
Philippine authorities on Tuesday warned of possible flooding in low-lying villages, landslides and rough seas in the country’s two northernmost provinces as Typhoon Mekkhala roared offshore. The typhoon was last tracked over the Pacific before midday, about 375 kilometers northeast of Aparri town in Cagayan province, with sustained winds of up to 175 kph, according to the country’s weather agency. Mekkhala was moving northwestward at 10 kph and was not expected to make landfall, but its wide rain and wind band could batter the eastern coasts of Cagayan and Batanes. The first of a five-step tropical cyclone wind warning was hoisted over northeastern coastal areas, prohibiting boats from heading out to sea, and disaster-mitigation personnel were placed on alert in vulnerable villages and towns. The typhoon was forecast to pass nearest to the coast of Batanes on Wednesday, about 275 kilometers offshore, before heading past Taiwan's east coast and then toward Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu on Saturday. The Philippines is battered by about 20 typhoons and storms each year and is also often hit by earthquakes and has more than a dozen active volcanoes.
What’s reported
Philippine authorities warned of possible flooding, landslides, and rough seas in the two northernmost provinces.
Typhoon Mekkhala was tracked about 375 kilometers northeast of Aparri town in Cagayan province.
Sustained winds were up to 175 kph.
The typhoon was moving northwestward at 10 kph and was not expected to make landfall.
The first of a five-step tropical cyclone wind warning was hoisted over northeastern coastal areas, prohibiting boats from heading out to sea.
Disaster-mitigation personnel were placed on alert in vulnerable villages and towns.
The typhoon was forecast to pass nearest to Batanes on Wednesday, about 275 kilometers offshore, then head past Taiwan's east coast and toward Japan's Kyushu on Saturday.
The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons and storms each year and is often hit by earthquakes and has more than a dozen active volcanoes.
Sources: abcnews.com
