Philippines on alert as Typhoon Koppu nears
On Friday President Benigno Aquino warned people living in the path of Typhoon Koppu to be ready to evacuate.
In a TV address, he said the storm could bring up to 12 hours’ torrential rain and cause severe flooding.
It was Mr Aquino’s first such appeal since Typhoon Haiyan struck in 2013, leaving more than 6,000 people dead.
Koppu is due to hit the northern island of Luzon early on Sunday.
Forecasters say it is packing winds of up to 180km/h (115mph) and is slow moving, meaning it could bring intense rain over a long period of time.
The first heavy rain was expected in parts of northern and central Luzon on Saturday.
In his address, Mr Aquino urged the estimated six million people in the typhoon’s direct path to listen to government warnings and be ready to evacuate their homes if necessary.
He said aid agencies had already distributed emergency supplies to evacuation centres. Details
