News

Super Typhoon Goni Hits Philippines, Kills At Least 10

MANILA: Typhoon Goni made landfall with intense winds in the Philippines on early Sunday morning, but spares the capital Manilla by the end of the day.

Only grazing Manilla, the storm’s intensity killed around 10 people in the Bicol region of Luzon, according to the regional Office of Civil Defense. The deaths were caused by an overflowing river and falling tree branches.

Nov. 1, late Sunday, Goni, that was once recorded as the most powerful storms, degraded to a tropical storm according to the national weather agency.

Though the electricity was out in some areas of Manilla, no notable destruction was reported. Meanwhile, in Bicol, around 400,000 people were displaced, with almost 350,000 sheltering in evacuation centers with the power out, said the civil defense office.

Francisco Domagoso, the mayor of Manilla said they have been on high alert since Friday. He added that strict protocols have been enforced to avoid the spread of COVID-19. Currently, the officials are taking care of debris on roads and fallen electricity wires, also providing food and provisions.

Officials clearing the roads with fallen wires, Philippines. Credit…Francis R Malasig/EPA, via Shutterstock

Goni, the “super-typhoon”, sustained winds over 190 miles per hour, the highest ever recorded. Even though it weakened throughout the day, it still packed winds of 135 miles per hour as it passes across Bicol, deemed the most powerful storms to strike the Philippines.

By Sunday evening, at least 10 people were killed, and all had been in the Albay Province, about 200 miles southeast of Manilla, said Office of Civil Defense in the Bicol region.

Comparing to last week, where 22 people were killed by Typhoon Molave crossing the region Goni had passed through.

The Philippines will have to embrace their 19th tropical storm, Atsani, that develops behind Goni. Though, the national weather agency claimed that it has yet to accumulate as much strength. It is expected to strengthen into a typhoon by Wednesday (Oct. 4) and hit the northernmost part of the Philippines.

Around 1 million people have evacuated from their homes on Saturday (Oct. 31).

Mark Timbal, a spokesman for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council states that the chances of widespread flooding and landslides are increasing due to the strong winds. Storm surges are imminent on the east coast, so they would be monitoring Mayon and Taal volcanoes for possible eruptions and mudflows, he added.

Preventive measures, including the evacuations, have started in coastal and landslide-prone areas in the provinces of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur. Albay provincial government would order residents in danger-rid areas to leave their homes, told Gremil Naz, a local disaster official said in the DZBB radio station.

Fortunately, the likelihood of this typhoon being the strongest typhoon that will hit the Philippines since the Haiyan, which has killed more than 6,300 people in the year 2013, was just another assumption.

Source: The Watchers, CNA, New York Times

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

From Cookies to Classrooms: Starbucks Raises Over RM100K to Revive Centre for the Deaf

What if your sweet tooth could change lives? Since 2018, Starbucks Malaysia has raised over… Read More

1 day ago

Tous les Jours Expands in Malaysia with New Outlets at Sunway Pyramid and Sunway Velocity

Malaysian fans of delectable K-inspired baked goods will be delighted to hear that Tous Les… Read More

1 day ago

Stitch Lands in KL, Disney’s Blue Menace Takes Over Pavilion This School Holiday

Get ready for a school holiday filled with tropical vibes as Pavilion Kuala Lumpur transforms… Read More

1 day ago

Malaysia Gears Up for Southeast Asia’s First Smart City Expo, Here’s Why You Should Care

Kuala Lumpur just flipped the switch on something big. The 100-day countdown to Smart City… Read More

1 day ago

Ejen Ali: The Movie Review, A Next-Level Win for Malaysian Animation

Ejen Ali: The Movie 2 isn’t just a sequel, it’s a bold upgrade that proves… Read More

1 day ago

When Creativity Meets Comfort: LEGO® and IKEA Malaysia Reimagine Home Decor

When Creativity Meets Comfort: LEGO® and IKEA Malaysia Reimagine Home Decor With its latest collection… Read More

3 days ago

This website uses cookies.