Typhoon Man-yi Hits the Philippines
A powerful typhoon, Man-yi, struck the Philippines on November 17, 2024. The storm damaged homes, caused tidal surges, and forced hundreds of thousands to evacuate. It hit the eastern island province of Catanduanes with winds reaching 195 kilometers per hour (125 miles per hour) and gusts up to 240 kilometers per hour (149 mph). The country’s weather agency warned of a potentially life-threatening situation for areas in the storm’s path.
Authorities did not report any immediate casualties, but many residents were affected. The typhoon moved northwest across northern Luzon, which is the most populated region of the Philippines. Although metropolitan Manila might avoid a direct hit, it was placed under storm alerts due to dangerous coastal storm surges.
Roberto Monterola, a disaster-response officer, noted strong winds and described the storm’s noise as eerie. Tidal surges reached over 7 meters (23 feet) near coastal homes, alarming many residents. Catanduanes province lost all electricity after the storm knocked down trees and power lines. Disaster teams were assessing the extent of the damage.
More than 750,000 people took refuge in emergency shelters due to Man-yi and two previous storms. Catanduanes officials warned villagers of potential arrests for refusing to evacuate. Nearby areas were also affected, with many residents still recovering from previous storms.
The Philippines faced a rare series of storms in just three weeks, which resulted in over 160 deaths and impacted 9 million people. The storms caused significant damage to homes and farmland, which may force the country to import more rice, a staple food. In response to the crisis, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. advised officials to prepare for severe outcomes.
The United States and Southeast Asian nations offered support, sending cargo aircraft and aid to help disaster-response efforts. The Philippines experiences about 20 typhoons annually and is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, making it one of the most disaster-affected regions in the world.
