Typhoon Hagupit Latest News Update 2014: Path Hits Philippines, Manila Braces for Incoming Storm
Typhoon Hagupit is making its way across the Philippines and after hitting the outer provinces, it is set to hit the country's capital of Manila come Monday evening.
Typhoon Hagupit, or locally known as Typhoon Ruby, first landed at Eastern Samar on Saturday and moved slowly across the country, bringing heavy rains and strong wings. Through its route, the typhoon already claimed three lives, two people in central Iloilo who died of hypothermia, including a baby girl, as well as a person hit by tree in eastern Dolores.
Several areas and provinces are still unable to communicate with officials to report damages, injuries or loss of lives, so the numbers may still increase.
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However, Typhoon Hagupit did weaken to a storm come Monday, leading to flooded streets, damaged homes and debris but no major destruction. The typhoon now has maximum sustained winds of up to 105 km or 65 miles per hour and gusts of 135 kph or 84 mph, which is weaker than initial forecasts.
The country's capital of Manila is still set to be hit, but Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada claimed that residents have been evacuated to emergency shelters and preparations are being made for possible widespread flooding.
Two central Philippine islands are also still at the path of the storm before it crosses to the South China Sea, so the country is still preparing its citizens for more rainfall.
Typhoon Hagupit is moving at a northwestern direction of 10 kph, so it may take three days or more before the storm officially leaves the country.
Typhoon Hagupit hits the country 13 months after Super Typhoon Haiyan, locally known as Typhoon Yolanda and considered one of the strongest storms to ever hit the country.
The super typhoon left more than 7,300 people dead or missing, so the citizens are thankful that this recent storm is less violent.
