Thousands Flee Coastal Areas as Typhoon Kalmaegi Looms Large
More than 70,000 people have been forcibly evacuated from their homes in eastern Philippines ahead of Typhoon Kalmaegi's expected landfall. Forecasters warn that torrential rains, powerful storm surges up to three meters high, and wind gusts reaching as high as 150km/h are on the horizon.
The Philippine authorities have ordered evacuees to flee to designated shelters or sturdy buildings that can withstand the typhoon's fury. In addition, fishermen in the east-central region have been prohibited from venturing out to sea due to the dangers posed by the storm.
Guiuan, a town prone to typhoons, is particularly vulnerable, as it was severely affected by one of the most powerful storms on record in 2013, which left over seven thousand people dead or missing and displaced millions more. This devastating disaster serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with the region's location.
The Philippine archipelago experiences approximately 20 typhoons annually, with many becoming increasingly potent due to human-driven climate change. The country was also recently hit by Super Typhoon Ragasa, which brought widespread destruction and claimed the lives of 14 people in neighbouring Taiwan.
Furthermore, the Philippines is not only susceptible to powerful storms but also earthquakes and active volcanoes, solidifying its position as one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. With the storm expected to make landfall on Monday, residents are bracing themselves for what is sure to be a treacherous night.
More than 70,000 people have been forcibly evacuated from their homes in eastern Philippines ahead of Typhoon Kalmaegi's expected landfall. Forecasters warn that torrential rains, powerful storm surges up to three meters high, and wind gusts reaching as high as 150km/h are on the horizon.
The Philippine authorities have ordered evacuees to flee to designated shelters or sturdy buildings that can withstand the typhoon's fury. In addition, fishermen in the east-central region have been prohibited from venturing out to sea due to the dangers posed by the storm.
Guiuan, a town prone to typhoons, is particularly vulnerable, as it was severely affected by one of the most powerful storms on record in 2013, which left over seven thousand people dead or missing and displaced millions more. This devastating disaster serves as a grim reminder of the risks associated with the region's location.
The Philippine archipelago experiences approximately 20 typhoons annually, with many becoming increasingly potent due to human-driven climate change. The country was also recently hit by Super Typhoon Ragasa, which brought widespread destruction and claimed the lives of 14 people in neighbouring Taiwan.
Furthermore, the Philippines is not only susceptible to powerful storms but also earthquakes and active volcanoes, solidifying its position as one of the world's most disaster-prone countries. With the storm expected to make landfall on Monday, residents are bracing themselves for what is sure to be a treacherous night.
. I mean, think about it, 20 typhoons per year? That's like having a storm every other week! It's no wonder the people are getting restless. When will we take action to address these issues? We need more investment in renewable energy and disaster mitigation efforts. The fact that the Philippines is already struggling with natural disasters and now this, it's a wake-up call for us too 
. We can't just sit back and wait for the next big one. It's time for us to take responsibility and work together to create a safer future for all. And let's not forget, this is exactly why we need stricter environmental laws and regulations 
.
. The Philippines is like a disaster movie every year 
. They need to be super careful when it comes to natural disasters. And yeah, Guiuan is like a ticking time bomb 
, been through some crazy stuff before 
.
they're going through so much already and then this typhoon hits... 70k+ people evacuated is crazy 
like how do you even plan for that kind of scale disaster? and the fact that Guiuan was hit so hard in 2013 makes me want to hug my family & friends tight 
we gotta do more to help prevent these types of disasters from happening in the first place... and it's not just typhoons, I'm thinking about the earthquakes too 
can't even imagine what it must be like to live with that kind of threat everyday 
.
. And poor Taiwan... that Super Typhoon Ragasa was super intense 
. Poor people in Taiwan who got hit by Super Typhoon Ragasa, rest in peace 
. Let's just hope the authorities can keep everyone safe tonight 
.