Typhoon Yolanda Approaches Philippines, Schools closed, Flooding Danger

Super Typhoon Yolanda is due to hit, or pass near, to Mindenao in the Philippines and the population is preparing for the worst.

In the province of Surigao del Norte, which is closest to Yolanda’s path, school classes have already been suspended.

On Friday,Governor Sol F. Matugas ordered the suspension of work in the capitol when the super typhoon is expected to hit parts of the Visayas.

Constantino Arpon, chief meteorologist at the Surigao station of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), warned that there is a big possibility that Surigao del Norte will be hit by the Typhoon Yolanda.

Typhoon Yolanda is expected to bring strong winds and heavy rains that could be as much as 200 to 350mm.

According to Anianita Fortich, of PAGASA, Super Typhoon Yolanda was formed where typhoon Sendong started in the Pacific Ocean. She warned that Yolanda could still change course and hit Mindanao and it has even has stronger winds.

Dr. Agripino Dacera, acting head of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), said they already mobilized the city’s 26 barangay councils and their respective disaster teams to regularly monitor the condition of Typhoon Yolanda.

General Santos City Mayor Ronnel Rivera called an emergency meeting of the CDRRM Council, “We’re not taking any chances with this projected super typhoon so we will be drawing some measures to preempt its possible impact in our area.”

Although Typhoon Yolanda was expected to make landfall in areas within the Samar provinces, its center will not likely hit the southern part of Mindanao.

The worst case scenario is that Typhoon Yolanda might trigger severe floods, especially in the low-lying areas.