Typhoon Yinxing reached the coast of the Philippines. 160,000 people were evacuated. The element, bringing downpours and gusty winds, hit Luzon – the most populated island of this country. On Friday, authorities continued to warn of “persistent life-threatening conditions.”
Yinxing (called Marce in the Philippines) reached the island of Luzon in the Santa Ana commune area on Thursday at 3:40 p.m. local time as a category four element. Earlier, the authorities issued an evacuation order for over 160,000 residents. Some schools and workplaces were closed.
There are no reports of casualties. Authorities, however, warned early Friday morning of “persistent life-threatening conditions” in parts of Cagayan province and the neighboring provinces of Apayao and Ilocos Norte.
High waves, trees uprooted
Authorities warned that sea waves could exceed three meters. There were reports in local media of uprooted trees.
Shortly before Typhoon Yinxing made landfall in Santa Ana on Thursday afternoon local time, its maximum wind speed was around 225 kilometers per hour, the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) said.
At 11 p.m. on Thursday, meteorologists reported sustained winds blowing at a speed of approximately 175 kilometers per hour. It is expected stormwhich officials said was moving westward, will leave Philippine waters by Friday afternoon local time.
A country plagued by storms
Typhoon Yinxing is another such element in the Philippines this fall. Late last month, Tropical Storm Trami killed at least 80 people in the country and forced half a million residents to evacuate.
An average of 20 storms are recorded annually in the Philippines.
AP, The New York Times, Rappler
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/FRANCE R. MALASIG