BREAKING: Typhoon Matmo has made landfall in the northern Philippines, intensifying challenges for disaster response teams already grappling with the aftermath of a deadly earthquake. The typhoon struck Dinapigue town in Isabela province on Friday, bringing sustained winds of up to 130 kph (81 mph) and forcing evacuations in vulnerable areas.
Residents in flood- and landslide-prone villages are evacuating as Matmo moves northwest across agricultural valleys and mountainous regions. Authorities have suspended classes and prohibited cargo and fishing vessels from entering the treacherous waters along the typhoon’s path. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) forecasts the storm will exit into the South China Sea by Saturday, likely heading toward southern China, including Hong Kong and Hainan Island.
This is the 16th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, a nation that typically endures about 20 storms annually. The Philippines lies on the seismically active Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it particularly susceptible to natural disasters.
The timing of Typhoon Matmo is especially critical as the country is still reeling from a devastating 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on Tuesday night, claiming at least 72 lives and injuring over 550 people. The hardest-hit areas include the city of Bogo and surrounding towns in Cebu province, where thousands of homes have been damaged. Many residents continue to seek refuge in parks and sidewalks, too frightened to return home due to aftershocks.
Further complicating the situation, another storm, Bualoi, recently caused at least 37 deaths in the Philippines before moving on to Vietnam, where it claimed an additional 49 lives and inflicted economic damages estimated at $485 million. Super Typhoon Ragasa, which briefly held the title of the world’s strongest tropical cyclone this year, also caused fatalities as it passed near the Philippines before making landfall in southern China.
As Typhoon Matmo continues its course, officials urge residents in impacted areas to stay vigilant and heed evacuation orders. The situation is developing, and updates will be provided as authorities monitor the storm’s trajectory and its effects on ongoing disaster response efforts.
Stay tuned for more updates on this urgent situation as it unfolds.
