MANILA, Philippines — Over five million Filipinos living in the path of typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) are expected to be affected by the wrath of the most powerful storm to hit the country this year, a disaster official said Friday. National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council spokesperson Edgar Posadas said that the number of individuals that will be affected by the typhoon increased to 5.2 million Friday from 4.2 million Thursday. The typhoon is expected to make landfall in Cagayan-Isabela area early Saturday morning. NDRRMC said that Isabela is expected to bear the brunt of “Ompong” with 1.57 million people affected, followed by Cagayan with 1.2 millionOver 55,000 houses in those high-risk areas have light walls and roofings. State weather bureau PAGASA earlier warned that those living in Cagayan and Isabela may expect up to six meters of storm surge.

Source: Philippine Star September 14, 2018 06:22 UTC