Typhoon Man-yi Strikes Philippines, Causing Widespread Destruction and Displacing Thousands

Manila, 17 Nov (ONA) --- A powerful typhoon wrecked houses, caused towering tidal surges and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee to emergency shelters as it cut across the northern Philippines today in the sixth major storm to hit the country in less than a month.

Typhoon Man-yi slammed into the eastern island province of Catanduanes last night with sustained winds of up to 195 kilometers (125 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 240 kph (149 mph). The Philippines' weather agency warned of a "potentially catastrophic and life-threatening situation" in provinces along its path.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the typhoon, which was forecast to blow northwestward today across northern Luzon, the archipelago's most populous region.

The Philippines is battered by about 20 typhoons and storms each year, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds and deadly landslides.

--- Ends/Khalid