Typhoon Yinxing wreaks havoc on Northern Philippines

According to reports from "The Independent," Typhoon Yinxing, referred to as Marce by Filipinos, reached the Asian country on Thursday, November 7, late in the afternoon Eastern Time. It flooded villages, toppled trees and power poles, and destroyed homes and other buildings. On Friday, authorities were still warning about life-threatening conditions persisting.

Approximately 40,000 people had to be evacuated to safer regions from parts of the Cagayan province, neighbouring provinces of Apayao and Ilocos Norte, and from Luzon island.

In the northernmost province of Batanes, Governor Marilou Cayco, I reported that strong winds and rains blew off house roofs and damaged seaports and two domestic airport terminals.

Yinxing, with winds reaching speeds from approximately 150 to even 205 km/h, is moving towards the Ilocos Norte province. According to forecasts, it is expected to reach Vietnam shortly but will lose strength before it does.

New damages complicate rescue operations after two powerful typhoons that have recently hit the northern region. Tropical storm Trami, which brought, in some areas, rainfall equivalent to about two months' worth of rain in just 24 hours, and Typhoon Kong-rey caused the death of at least 151 people in the Philippines and affected nearly nine million people, mainly in northern and central provinces. Damages to crops and infrastructure have been estimated at approximately $240 million.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. decided not to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru next week to focus on rescue efforts in the country.

On average, the Philippines records 20 storms of varying intensity annually.