Super Typhoon Man-yi roared through the Philippines’ main island of Luzon on Sunday, November 17, unleashing torrential rains and powerful winds that prompted mass evacuations and caused significant property damage. Packing sustained winds of 185 km/h (115 mph), the typhoon weakened slightly after making landfall in Panganiban, Catanduanes, late Saturday night. By Sunday morning, it was moving over the coastal waters of Camarines Norte province, heading toward the southern and central regions of Luzon.
In response to the storm’s destructive potential, over a million people in high-risk areas, including Metro Manila, were evacuated to safer locations. Despite the widespread evacuations, no casualties have been reported as of this writing, a testament to the effectiveness of preemptive safety measures.
The Philippines, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire and in the pathway of tropical cyclones, is no stranger to severe weather events. For Amalia Santisas, a resident of a coastal community in Metro Manila, the typhoon brought a familiar sense of urgency.
“We evacuated because every time there is a typhoon, the water rises in the nearby river,” Santisas explained. Along with her children, she heeded evacuation orders, expressing fears for their safety. “We have children with us, and we are scared,” she said.
Santisas’ story reflects the plight of hundreds of thousands of families forced to abandon their homes as the storm barreled through the region. Temporary shelters in schools, government buildings, and evacuation centers were quickly filled to capacity, with authorities ensuring that emergency supplies, including food, water, and medical aid, were in place.
While the mass evacuations have likely saved lives, Super Typhoon Man-yi left a trail of destruction in its wake. In Catanduanes, where it first made landfall, the typhoon’s strong winds and heavy rainfall damaged homes, schools, and commercial establishments. Ariel Nepomuceno, the civil defense chief, reported widespread structural damage but emphasized the absence of fatalities as a positive outcome.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) noted that the storm was expected to weaken as it moved over Luzon’s mountainous terrain. Nevertheless, it maintained its capacity to wreak havoc in the form of storm surges, flooding, and landslides.
As of Sunday morning, Man-yi had shifted its fury toward Luzon’s southern and central areas. PAGASA issued warnings for these regions, urging residents to remain vigilant. The highest storm alerts were raised for the eastern parts of the Polillo and Calaguas islands, where storm surges and fierce winds posed significant threats.
In Virac, a town in Catanduanes, the storm’s winds had subsided by mid-morning Sunday, and the rain had tapered to a drizzle. Disaster officials reported that some evacuees had cautiously begun returning to their homes to assess the damage. “It’s still unsafe, but people are anxious to return,” said Roberto Monterola, a provincial disaster officer, in an interview with DZBB radio.
The Philippine government mobilized emergency resources well in advance of the typhoon’s landfall. In addition to mass evacuations, disaster response teams were deployed to high-risk areas, and the military assisted with rescue operations and the distribution of relief goods. PAGASA provided continuous updates on the typhoon’s trajectory, helping communities and local authorities prepare for its arrival.
“Pepito is forecast to slightly weaken as a typhoon prior to its second landfall,” PAGASA stated in a bulletin, using the storm’s local name. The agency also warned that heavy rainfall could lead to flash floods and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas.
The Philippines Red Cross and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also played a critical role in disaster preparedness, providing food packs, hygiene kits, and temporary shelters for evacuees.
Man-yi is the sixth tropical cyclone to strike the Philippines in a month, underscoring the country’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Situated in the Pacific Typhoon Belt, the Philippines experiences an average of 20 typhoons annually, many of which cause significant loss of life and property.
Environmental experts have highlighted the role of climate change in intensifying tropical cyclones. Rising sea surface temperatures and shifting weather patterns have led to stronger and more erratic storms, placing greater strain on the country’s disaster management systems.
The immediate aftermath of Super Typhoon Man-yi is marked by the challenge of rebuilding communities and restoring livelihoods. The agriculture sector, a cornerstone of the Philippine economy, often bears the brunt of such storms. Damage to crops, livestock, and fisheries in the affected regions could exacerbate food insecurity and economic instability.
Infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and power lines, also suffered from the typhoon’s wrath, complicating relief efforts and delaying recovery. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) estimates that full damage assessments and recovery plans will take weeks to finalize.
The international community has expressed solidarity with the Philippines in the wake of Super Typhoon Man-yi. Several countries and humanitarian organizations have pledged support, including emergency aid and technical assistance for disaster recovery. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with local authorities to address immediate needs.
As the storm moves further inland, authorities remain focused on mitigating risks and providing support to affected communities. Continuous monitoring of weather conditions, robust disaster preparedness plans, and community cooperation have been pivotal in minimizing the loss of life during Man-yi.
The typhoon serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of addressing climate change and investing in sustainable infrastructure to protect vulnerable populations. For now, the resilience of the Filipino people, combined with swift action from authorities, is being tested once again in the face of nature’s fury.
