Super Typhoon ‘Noru’ heads toward Manila with winds over 185 kilometers per hour

Super Typhoon ‘Noru’, known in the Philippines as ‘Karding’, is heading directly towards the Philippine capital Manila and has already brought heavy rains and strong sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 240 kilometers per hour.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) has reported that the storm has made landfall on the Philippine main island of Luzon.

‘Noru’ first made landfall at 5:30 p.m. near Bordeaux, Quezon Island, and arrived in Dingalan, Aurora province, Luzon Island, at about 8:20 p.m.

Its trajectory clearly takes it westward and it is advancing at about 20 kilometers per hour, so it is expected to affect Manila in the next few hours.

At landfall the storm has weakened slightly, but many areas remain at Level 5 alert. Pagasa has issued red alert for possible severe flooding for Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Nueva Ecija.

In addition, a Level 4 alert warning is in effect for the next 12 hours, so it could cause significant property damage and pose a threat to life the surrounding area. Moderate to heavy rainfall warnings have also been issued for Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cavite and Batangas.

More than 1,200 people are isolated in Calabarzon and Bicol, the Philippine Coast Guard has reported and ABS-CBN television reports.

Another 300 have already had to leave their homes in Dingalan, Aurora province, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRMC), which warns of upcoming evacuations in the area.

Meanwhile, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has announced the suspension of activity in the public sector and education for this Monday in the island of Luzon. Marcos has posted on Facebook that he has approved the recommendation of the CNRRGD.

On the other hand, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has announced that it is already preparing to assist children and families affected by the super typhoon.

“The organization has emergency supplies such as tents, water purification tablets and hygiene kits for immediate distribution to the most vulnerable communities,” UNICEF said in a statement.

“The climate crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have already taken a heavy toll on children in the Philippines. In order to grow up happy and healthy, children need security and stability, especially during emergencies,” said UNICEF Philippines representative Oyunsaijan Dendevnorov.