Tens of thousands of people were forced to shelter in evacuation centres as powerful Typhoon Kammuri barrelled towards the Philippines today.
Kammuri is threatening to disrupt the Southeast Asian Games events near the country’s capital, Manila.
The storm is forecast to make landfall later today or early tomorrow in the east of the nation, with intense rains and wind gusts of up to 115 miles (185km) per hour.
Tens of thousands of people were forced to shelter in evacuation centres as powerful Typhoon Kammuri barrelled towards the Philippines today
Nearly 70,000 people have already fled their homes in the Bicol region, which is where the typhoon is expected to strike first. Pictured are residents gathering inside an evacuation centre
Kammuri is threatening to disrupt the Southeast Asian Games events near the country’s capital, Manila. Pictured are villagers gathering inside a gymnasium after evacuating
It is then forecast to pass close to Manila, which is home to 13million people and is the site for many of the SEA Games events.
Nearly 70,000 people have already fled their homes in the Bicol region, which is where the typhoon is expected to strike first.
‘We hope there won’t be any damage, but given its strength, we can’t avoid it,’ Mark Timbal, spokesman for the national disaster agency, said.
‘We have preemptively evacuated people in areas that are in the storm’s direct path.’
The storm is forecast to make landfall later today or early tomorrow in the east of the nation, with intense rains and wind gusts of up to 115 miles (185km) per hour. Pictured are villagers disembarking from a truck during evacuation
The storm is then forecast to pass close to Manila, which is home to 13million people and is the site for many of the SEA Games events. Pictured are residents using a classroom as a temporary shelter
The weather bureau also warned of rain-induced landslides and possible storm surges of up to ten feet (three metres) which could hit coastal areas in the nation’s east.
The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons each year, killing hundreds and putting people in disaster-prone areas in a state of constant poverty.
The country’s deadliest cyclone on record was Super Typhoon Haiyan, which left more than 7,300 people dead or missing in 2013.
Kammuri is already snarling plans for the SEA Games, which opened Saturday for thousands of athletes from the region and is set to run through to December 11 in and around Manila.
The weather bureau also warned of rain-induced landslides and possible storm surges of up to ten feet (three metres) which could hit coastal areas in the nation’s east. Pictured are villagers disembarking from a truck during evacuation
The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 storms and typhoons each year, killing hundreds and putting people in disaster-prone areas in a state of constant poverty. Pictured are villagers riding to an evacuation centre
Windsurfing was halted as a precaution and triathlon events were held earlier than scheduled.
Organisers said today that each sport is overseen by delegates and ultimately they would make the call on any possible cancellations or rescheduling.
Ramon Suzara, the chief operating officer of the organising committee, said contingency plans were in place for bad weather, but the duration of the Games would not be extended.
The country’s deadliest cyclone on record was Super Typhoon Haiyan, which left more than 7,300 people dead or missing in 2013. Pictured are strong waves battering the coastline of Legazpi
Kammuri is already snarling plans for the SEA Games, which opened Saturday for thousands of athletes from the region and is set to run through to December 11 in and around Manila. Pictured are residents gathering inside an evacuation centre
Pictured are residents carrying a wooden fishing boat along the coast of Eastern Samar province
Ramon Suzara, the chief operating officer of the organising committee, said contingency plans were in place for bad weather, but the duration of the Games would not be extended
‘For example, basketball or volleyball, normally if there are typhoons, which has been done, the competition continues if necessary but without spectators,’ he said.
The storm is the latest trouble for the Games, which saw a series of transport snafus and a rush of last-minute construction ahead of the opening.
This year’s Games in Clark, Manila and Subic are already particularly complex, with a record 56 sports across dozens of venues that are in some cases hours apart by car.
Around 8,750 athletes and team officials are expected at this year’s 30th edition – the biggest ever – along with another 12,000 volunteers. Organisers hope more than 500 million viewers will tune in on TV by the end of the competition on December 11.
The storm is the latest trouble for the Games, which saw a series of transport snafus and a rush of last-minute construction ahead of the opening
The Philippines have made a strong start to the Games, rising to the top of the medal table with over 50 in total, ahead of Vietnam in second and Thailand in third.
The host nation added to their haul of gold medals on Monday with wins in downhill mountain biking and stick-wielding martial art arnis, while claiming a silver in the rescheduled men’s duathlon event in Subic.
A glitzy dancesport competition in Clark on Sunday saw the Philippines pick up 10 golds.