Hundreds flee as super typhoon hits Philippines, triggers flood chaos

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Aug 2023 08:28

Widespread power outages have been observed throughout the northeastern Philippines, impacting approximately 1.2 million residents, as power lines were downed.

A man navigates through neck-deep floodwaters in his village caused by Typhoon Doksuri in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte province, northern Philippines, July 26, 2023. (AP)

As a result of Super Typhoon Saola, floods have forced numerous residents to abandon their homes in rural villages in the northeastern Philippines, according to rescue officials.

The typhoon approached the main island of Luzon's northeastern part, with its central winds reaching speeds of 185 kilometers per hour (115 miles per hour) and coming within 125 kilometers of Tuguegarao, a city with around 160,000 inhabitants.

Ruelie Rapsing, a rescue official in Cagayan province, conveyed that while the winds were not excessively strong, heavy rainfall occurred during the previous night.

Images released on the provincial government's Facebook page displayed homes submerged in knee-deep floodwaters in Aparri municipality. Around 388 individuals were evacuated due to flooding in four towns in Cagayan, with water levels also rising in two other towns.

Typhoon Saola on the infrared satellite image broadcasted today via radiofax by Shanghai Meteorological Bureau at 09h00 UTC, frequency of 12382 kHz USB.
The strong typhoon is now in Philippine waters with winds of over 200 km/h, and is heading towards Taiwan. pic.twitter.com/N5qHCOG2Jj
— Carlos Latuff (@LatuffCartoons) August 26, 2023

Widespread power outages were observed throughout the province, impacting approximately 1.2 million residents, as power lines were downed. However, no casualties or significant damage were reported.

Saola shifted its course southward along Luzon's eastern coast on Sunday, with the National Weather Service indicating that the typhoon would remain over coastal waters rather than make landfall.

Rescue officials from Isabela and Aurora provinces, located on the east coast and south of Cagayan, reported no immediate accounts of damage or casualties.

The primary concern, as highlighted by the weather service, was the potential for heavy rainfall triggering flash floods or landslides. Anticipated precipitation of up to 200 millimeters (almost eight inches) along the coasts of Cagayan and Isabela was forecasted for the day.

The Philippines experiences an average of 20 major storms annually, leading to significant loss of life and perpetuating widespread poverty in many regions.