At least 31 people have died in the southern Philippines after floods and landslides triggered by the cyclone’s heavy rains. Rescue workers are continuing to search for the missing persons. A senior government official said this on Friday. Reuters news
Cyclone ‘Nalgay’ is approaching the coast. Authorities are evacuating thousands of residents away from the potential path of the cyclone.
Disaster management officials say the typhoon could hit the coast of Samar province in the central Philippines by tonight.
Naguib Sinarimbo, Minister of the Interior of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Mindanao, said Maguindanao province received more rain than expected.
Preparations were made, Sinarimbo said. But unfortunately it rained more than the residents expected.
Pictures released by the Coast Guard show rescue workers using rubber boats to evacuate people trapped in shallow water in the southern Sultan Kudarat province.
Typhoons often hit the Philippines. This caused frequent floods and landslides in the country. The Philippines is hit by an average of 20 typhoons every year.
Cyclone Nalgai is moving towards the coast with gusty winds of 75 km per hour. Air traffic is disrupted. Educational institutions have been closed. Some port operations have come to a standstill.
The Bureau of Meteorology said the storm may intensify as it crosses the Philippine Sea.