Typhoon Yinxing devastates northern Philippines, thousands evacuated

According to reports from "The Independent," Typhoon Yinxing, known locally as Marce, reached the Philippines on Thursday, 7th November, in the late afternoon. It flooded villages, uprooted trees and power poles, and destroyed homes and other buildings. On Friday, authorities were still warning about the life-threatening conditions that were persisting.

In total, approximately 40,000 people needed to be evacuated to safer areas from parts of the Cagayan province, the neighbouring provinces of Apayao and Ilocos Norte, and from Luzon island.

In the northernmost province of Batanes, Governor Marilou Cayco reported that strong winds and rain had blown off house roofs and damaged seaports and two domestic airport terminals.

Yinxing, with winds reaching speeds from approximately 150 to even 205 km/h, is moving towards the Ilocos Norte province. According to forecasts, it is expected to reach Vietnam shortly, though it will lose strength before it does.

New damage is complicating rescue operations after two powerful typhoons that have hit the northern region in recent weeks. Tropical storm Trami brought rainfall equivalent to about two months' worth of rain in just 24 hours in some areas, while Typhoon Kong-rey has resulted in at least 151 deaths in the Philippines, affecting nearly nine million people, mainly in the northern and central provinces. Damage to crops and infrastructure has been estimated at approximately £197 million.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has decided not to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru next week to focus on rescue efforts in the country.

On average, the Philippines records 20 storms of varying intensity annually.