According to the reports on Tuesday (5 November), The Philippines is taking extensive precautions as Typhoon Marce, also known internationally as Yinxing, approaches its northeastern towns. The storm, with sustained winds of 120 kph, is currently moving towards the eastern town of Baler in Aurora province and is expected to potentially make landfall later this week. Authorities are focusing on early evacuation efforts to ensure that residents in remote areas are relocated in advance, especially where emergency access could be limited during the typhoon’s impact.
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro announced that various government agencies have coordinated efforts to prepare, issuing early warnings and mobilizing resources. Supplies, including food, are being stockpiled, and soldiers are on standby to assist with rescue and relief operations if needed. Dams in the area have also begun releasing water preemptively to prevent potential flooding from the typhoon’s expected rainfall.
The weather agency warns that the typhoon may bring torrential rains, with possible landfall between Thursday evening (7 November) and Friday morning (8 November) around the northern province of Cagayan. Civil defense officials estimate that up to 24 million people could be directly affected, underscoring the storm’s potential impact. While the typhoon could shift course, preparations are underway to respond to its worst-case effects.
This typhoon is the third major storm to strike the Philippines in less than a month, following the devastating impacts of Storm Kristine and Super Typhoon Kong-Rey, which caused significant casualties and damage across Luzon. With around 20 tropical storms affecting the country annually, officials emphasize the need for continuous improvements in disaster response.
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