Weather

Philippines braces for Super Typhoon Noru

Manila, Sep 25 (EFE).- Philippines authorities put the country on high alert and began evacuating people in coastal areas and suspended maritime travel on Sunday the country braced for the arrival of Super Typhoon Noru.

The storm, locally named Karding, became a super typhoon Sunday morning after suddenly intensifying.

Noru maintained its strength as it endangered the Polillo Islands with sustained winds of 195 km/h near the center and gusts of up to 240 km/h, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

It added there is “extreme threat to life and property.”

“On the forecast track, Karding will likely make landfall in the vicinity of the northern portion of Quezon or the southern portion of Aurora tonight. The possibility of an earlier (afternoon) landfall or close approach in the vicinity of Polillo Islands is not ruled out,” Pagasa said.

The super typhoon is expected to bring torrential rains and strong winds to the capital, Manila.

“The highest emergency preparedness and response protocol has been activated in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the Bicol region,” said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

Noru is the 11th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, and is expected to bring torrential rains to the capital area and neighboring provinces.

Authorities have warned of landslides, floods and destructive winds, while the Philippine Coast Guard said more than 1,200 passengers and 28 ships have been stranded in ports south of the capital. EFE

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