MANILA: The Philippine military deployed boats and helicopters to the north of the country on Monday, as officials warned Typhoon Lupit could cause more devastation after two storms claimed nearly 1,000 lives.
The typhoon was not due to hit the main island of Luzon until Thursday, but authorities were on full alert as the region was still struggling to recover from the twin storms that caused massive flooding and deadly landslides.
“We have been pre-positioning food and transportation assets in areas likely to be hit by the typhoon,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro told reporters.
The navy said it had sent 18 rubber boats, as well as trucks, amphibious vehicles and helicopters to northern areas of Luzon.
Chief government weather forecaster Prisco Nilo said Lupit was expected to bring torrential rains and strong winds that could cause major damage to Luzon’s northeast coast.
Nilo said Lupit could dump about 20 to 25 millimeters (0.78 to 0.98 inches) of rain an hour.
“These are torrential rains, heavy rains... that can cause flooding and landslides,” he warned.
He said Lupit was picking up intensity with winds of up to 195 km an hour.
On Monday afternoon it was 1,070 km east of Cagayan province in the Pacific Ocean and expected to make landfall in northern Luzon on Thursday.
However it could start bringing bad weather to the region a day earlier, he said.
“We are all on alert,” Philippine National Red Cross secretary general Gwen Pang said, as she detailed efforts to stockpile relief goods close to areas that are expected to be affected by Lupit.
She also said residents of communities in the path of the storm may be required to evacuate from Tuesday.
