Typhoon Fengshen lashes the Philippines by Steph Ball
Typhoon Fengshen made landfall on the eastern Philippine island of Samar today, lashing the islands with heavy rain and winds over 85mph (140 km/h). Storm warnings were already in force for several eastern provinces of the Philippines when Fengshen or “Frank” strengthened into a typhoon.
The Philippine government has today warned residents of the risk of flash floods and landslides. Fengshen is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon bringing heavy rains across Mindanao, the rest of Visayas and then southern Luzon. Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes have been advised to make all necessary precautions against possible flash floods, while coastal areas are at risk of strong storm surges.
Fengshen is the fifth typhoon of this year’s Pacific typhoon season. Several typhoons hit the Philippines each year. The most destructive was Typhoon Thelma in 1991, whose resultant flooding left thousands dead.
According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), Fengshen is expected to maintain its strength over the next 24hrs as it tracks over very warm waters between the Central Philippine islands en route towards Manila. It is thought that the typhoon will then begin to weaken as it crosses the mountainous terrain of central Luzon on Sunday.
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