Philippine officials began evacuating thousands of villagers, shut down schools and offices and imposed a no-sail ban Monday as Typhoon Mawar approached the country’s northern provinces a week after battering the U.S. territory of Guam. Disaster-preparedness officials said the typhoon’s course could change abruptly and there was no room for complacency. More than 4,800 people have been evacuated to emergency shelters in Cagayan, Batanes and other provinces, Alejandro said. Classes and office work, except those involved in disaster-preparedness, have been suspended in most of Cagayan and Batanes provinces, where occasional downpours and gusty wind were reported Sunday night. Villa said the local government lent ropes to villagers living in high-risk communities to strengthen their houses as the typhoon approached.

Source: The Standard May 29, 2023 05:59 UTC