Typhoon Yinxing Approaches Northern Philippines

On Thursday, Typhoon Yinxing was rapidly advancing toward the northern tip of the Philippines, displaying winds comparable to a Category 4 hurricane. According to the U.S. Navy’s Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the storm registered maximum sustained winds of approximately 138 miles per hour. By Thursday morning, it was located about 71 miles east of the northern Philippines, moving in a west-northwest direction as reported by the national meteorological service.

In response to the impending storm, more than 160,000 individuals had been evacuated by Thursday morning, as noted by the Office of Civil Defense. Several schools and workplaces across the region were closed to ensure safety and facilitate evacuation efforts.

The forecast indicated that Typhoon Yinxing was expected to make landfall and traverse a region that encompasses the Babuyan Islands and the northern tip of Luzon, the Philippines’ most populous island, by Friday morning. Authorities have warned that the storm could generate dangerous storm surges reaching heights of up to 10 feet.

On Wednesday, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced that the country was being placed on “high alert”. He instructed the public works and transportation departments to prepare for potential road-clearing operations following the storm’s impact. The government additionally issued warnings for flash floods and landslides, urging residents to evacuate or seek shelter in safer locations.

The Philippines is particularly susceptible to tropical storms, averaging about 20 storms annually. Just last month, Typhoon Krathon struck the northern regions, resulting in significant flash flooding. Additionally, Tropical Storm Trami, which occurred in the previous month, tragically claimed the lives of 80 individuals and necessitated the evacuation of half a million residents.