In brief
With sustained winds reaching 138 mph, Typhoon Yinxing is set to make landfall in the Philippines, leading to the evacuation of over 160,000 residents as authorities brace for significant storm surges and potential landslides.
Typhoon Yinxing is barreling toward the northern coast of the Philippines as a formidable Category 4 storm, with winds comparable to those of a hurricane. On Thursday, its maximum sustained wind speed was recorded at 138 miles per hour, according to an advisory from the U.S. Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center. By Thursday morning, the storm was located approximately 71 miles east of the northern Philippine shores and was advancing west-northwest, as per local meteorological services.In preparation for the looming threat, authorities have evacuated more than 160,000 individuals as of Thursday morning, as reported by the Office of Civil Defense. Many schools and workplaces have closed in anticipation of the severe weather. The storm is projected to make landfall, affecting the Babuyan Islands and the northern tip of Luzon, the Philippines' most densely populated island, by Friday morning. Officials are cautioning residents that storm surges could reach heights of up to 10 feet.President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. declared a state of "high alert" on Wednesday, directing the public works and transportation departments to be poised for necessary road-clearing efforts. The government has proactively issued warnings for flash floods and landslides, strongly advising residents to seek shelter or relocate to safer areas.Typhoons are a recurrent phenomenon in the Philippines, with the country typically facing around 20 each year. Earlier this year, Typhoon Krathon caused significant damage and flash flooding in northern regions, while last month, Tropical Storm Trami claimed the lives of 80 people and led to the evacuation of half a million residents.
