Schools closed, flights canceled across Philippines amid heavy rains, typhoon

ISTANBUL

Schools and government offices in the Philippine capital Manila and 34 provinces were closed on Friday as Typhoon Co-May intensified, packing winds of up to 120 km/h and gusts reaching 150 km/h, the local newspaper Inquirer reported.

The typhoon, which grew into a storm on Thursday, is expected to move toward Northern Luzon, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Nearly 70 flights were canceled due to the combined effects of the typhoon and the southwest monsoon, which continues to cause heavy rains across the country, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said.

In a statement, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to focus on disaster preparation and long-term adaptation as future storms become inevitable.

“We are now having to think more of mitigation … What do we have to do when it [typhoon] comes again because it will come again,” Marcos said, according to local ABS-CBN News.

The Philippines is also recovering from the devastating effects of multiple storms, including Tropical Storm Wipha, which left 12 dead and over 2.7 million displaced, with 8 people still missing, according to Xinhua News.

Agricultural and infrastructure damage has reached around $73 million, and flood warnings remain in place across affected areas, the National Disaster Agency said.

While Wipha left the Philippines on Saturday, monsoon rains continued, exacerbated by Tropical Storms Francisco and Co-May.

The Philippine weather bureau warned that Co-May could strengthen into a typhoon before making landfall in the Ilocos Region, while Francisco is expected to exit the country on Thursday.

Flooding, landslides, and other hazards are predicted, with flood warnings issued for Metro Manila and nearby areas.

Co-May is the fifth tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, part of the country’s regular exposure to about 20 typhoons annually.