Philippines braces for powerful typhoon as strong winds lash country

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Philippines braces for powerful typhoon as strong winds lash country

Scientists warn that the world is warming because of climate change and the Philippines is ravaged by storms.

The winds were fierce this morning, said Ernesto Portillo, 30, who works as a cook in the coastal municipality of Infanta in Quezon.

We're a bit worried that we have food in case because we secured our belongings and bought a few groceries. Videos posted on social media and verified by AFP showed trees being buffeted by strong winds in Infanta and the Polillo islands.

The storm's wind speeds had increased by 90 kmh in 24 hours, according to the meteorology agency.

Weather forecaster Robb Gile said that typhoons are like engines - you need fuel and exhaust to function.

He said that it has a good fuel because it has plenty of warm waters along its track and there is a good exhaust in the upper level of the atmosphere, so it is a good recipe for explosives intensification, using the local name for the storm.

The storm hit about 100 km northeast of Manila. Emergency personnel were braced for the possibility of strong winds and heavy rain battering the capital, home to more than 13 million people.

Forced evacuations have started in some high risk areas of the metropolis, officials said.

NCR is prepared. Romulo Cabantac, the regional director of the civil defence office, said that we are just waiting and hoping it will not hit us.