Super Typhoon Noru is about to make landfall in the Philippines, heading to Vietnam

Philippine authorities said Super Typhoon Noru was headed for the country’s densely populated main island of Luzon on September 25, prompting the evacuation of coastal towns.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PASASA) said Super Typhoon Noru is having maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h after a “strengthening episode”. PAGASA weather expert Robb Gile said Noru’s rapid strengthening was “unprecedented”.

Noru will be the strongest typhoon to make landfall in the Philippines this year. The super typhoon is expected to continue to strengthen as it makes landfall, about 80 kilometers northeast of the capital Manila, in the afternoon or evening local time.

“We ask residents living in hazardous areas to comply with calls for evacuation whenever necessary,” said Philippine National Police Chief Rodolfo Azurin.

Residents in several cities in Quezon province on the island of Luzon, where Super Typhoon Noru could directly affect, are being evacuated, official Mel Avenilla from the provincial disaster office said.

In the neighboring province of Aurora, residents of the municipality of Dingalan were also forced to seek shelter.

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PAGASA said Noru could have wind speeds of up to 205 km/h when it makes landfall.

Noru is forecast to weaken to a hurricane as it sweeps across central Luzon. This storm will enter the East Sea on September 26, heading towards Vietnam.

PAGASA also warns of dangerous high tides, flooding and widespread landslides when storms bring heavy rain.

Typhoon Noru can also damage cropland in heavily agricultural areas, as well as flood villages.

Noru comes nine months after Super Typhoon Rai devastated parts of the Philippines, killing more than 400 people and leaving hundreds of thousands more homeless.