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Strong tropical Storm Melor to batter Philippines

Sunday, 13 December 2015 8:16 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 13 December 2015 1:01 PM ]

Alexander Pama, the head of the Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, gives a briefing on Typhoon Koppu in suburban Manila, October 17, 2015. (AFP photo)

Philippine authorities have warned of a powerful tropical storm that is zeroing in on the disaster-prone country with huge waves, flooding and landslides.

Tropical Storm Melor, which moved toward the country on Sunday, has the potential to turn into a full-fledged typhoon by Monday afternoon and is anticipated to pound the central island of Samar that is home to 1.5 million people.

"We should not underestimate the dangers posed by this storm," said Alexander Pama, the head of the Philippines’ National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, at a meeting of rescue officials.

There have been no evacuations yet, but the storm might force the residents of the impoverished farming island from their homes as its strong winds may reach 140 kilometers (87 miles) an hour.

Authorities have also prepared food packs and other emergency items in the areas that are expected to be struck by Melor while the army is put on standby to evacuate people if necessary.

The storm is likely to pass over the islands of Samar, Masbate, Marinduque and Mindoro before heading out to the South China Sea near the capital, Manila, by Wednesday.

Pama said some areas might witness huge crashing waves.

According to the definition by the state weather service, a tropical storm strengthens into a typhoon when its maximum sustained winds are stronger than 120 kilometers an hour. Melor had maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers an hour on Sunday morning.

The Philippines witnesses an average of 20 storms every year, with many of them deadly and destructive.

Residents wade through raging floodwaters brought about by Typhoon Koppu at Zaragosa township in Nueva Ecija Province, north of Manila, the Philippines on October 19, 2015. (AP photo)

Super Typhoon Haiyan has so far been the deadliest and strongest as it demolished entire towns in the central islands in November 2013. More than 7,350 people were left dead or missing due to the storm.

The Asian country was battered by Typhoon Koppu in October. It killed over 50 people and forced tens of thousands of others to escape their homes in the northern part of the country.

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