Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (C) leads a command conference on typhoon Mangkhut at the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) headquarters in Quezon City, Philippines, Sept. 13, 2018. Philippine authorities warned the public of floods, landslides and high waves even before Typhoon Mangkhut hits the northern tip of the Philippine main Luzon Island this weekend. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)
MANILA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Philippine authorities warned on Wednesday of floods, landslides and high waves even before Typhoon Mangkhut hits the northern tip of the Philippine main Luzon Island this weekend.
The typhoon, locally named Ompong, is the 10th to hit the Philippines this year. It is also the strongest so far, according to the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
PAGASA has raised the alert level in Catanduanes, an island province in the Bicol region, south of Manila. More storm signals may be raised over northern Luzon provinces, specifically Cagayan, Isabela and Aurora.
PAGASA said the typhoon's peak intensity could reach maximum sustained winds of 220 km per hour near the center and gust of up to 270 kph.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) warned the typhoon could bring storm surge, flooding and landslides.
"The worst case in areas that will be hit are houses being toppled due to strong winds, storm surge, and flooding due to heavy downpour," NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad said in a press conference.
"In the high ground areas, (there's risk of) landslides," Jalad added.
"Moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast to north will prevail over the northern Luzon and in Aurora province and the coastal waters will be moderate to rough," the PAGASA said in its latest bulletin.
The typhoon is on track to hit the northern tip of Luzon Island before exiting toward China.
Many Filipinos have started to reinforce their houses in preparation for the typhoon.
In 2013, super typhoon Haiyan devastated the central Philippines, killing more than 6,000 people. In 2009, typhoon Ketsana also caused massive flooding in Metro Manila, killing more than 700.
