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Philippines on alert as Typhoon Koppu nears Philippines on alert as Typhoon Koppu nears
(about 4 hours later)
The Philippines is preparing for a typhoon that is forecast to dump heavy rain and cause severe flooding when it arrives at the weekend. The Philippines is preparing for a typhoon that is forecast to dump heavy rain and cause severe flooding.
On Friday President Benigno Aquino warned people living in the path of Typhoon Koppu to be ready to evacuate.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. In a TV address, he said the storm - which is due to hit the northern island of Luzon early on Sunday - could bring up to 12 hours' torrential rain.
It was Mr Aquino's first such appeal since Typhoon Haiyan struck in 2013, leaving more than 6,000 people dead. The Philippines is still reeling from Super Typhoon Haiyan which killed more than 6,300 people in November 2013.
Koppu is due to hit the northern island of Luzon early on Sunday. Haiyan, the strongest storm ever recorded on land, destroyed entire towns.
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. Typhoon Koppu 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. These winds will be strong enough to blow down trees, rip roofs off buildings and threaten power supplies.
The first heavy rain was expected in parts of northern and central Luzon on Saturday.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. Why is Koppu slow-moving? Chris Fawkes, BBC Weather Centre, explains:
There are two typhoons in the west Pacific at the moment - Typhoon Champi sits just to the east of Koppu.
The complex interaction between these two typhoons and the warm air within these storms helps to build a ridge of high pressure over Taiwan this weekend. It is this ridge that effectively traps typhoon Koppu over the Philippines for a number of days rather than it being able to turn away from the Philippines and out of harm's way to the South China Sea.
Some computer models suggest the storm system will still be affecting the Philippines into the middle of next week allowing colossal amounts of rain to accumulate - 1m (39in) of rain is possible. Such extreme rainfall would bring some severe flooding to Luzon.
In his television 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.He said aid agencies had already distributed emergency supplies to evacuation centres.
"Your government is here to help us achieve zero casualties," Mr Aquino said."Your government is here to help us achieve zero casualties," Mr Aquino said.
"But I must emphasise, each local government unit, community and Filipino that will be affected has the duty to co-operate in the collective action we are taking to overcome the challenges ahead.""But I must emphasise, each local government unit, community and Filipino that will be affected has the duty to co-operate in the collective action we are taking to overcome the challenges ahead."
Mr Aquino added: "We have assets at the ready... to respond to any eventuality. However, we are dealing with nature so we don't really know what will happen."Mr Aquino added: "We have assets at the ready... to respond to any eventuality. However, we are dealing with nature so we don't really know what will happen."
The state weather service warned residents on the east coast of Luzon to be ready for possible storm surges of more than 2m (6ft). The Philippines weather service warned residents on the east coast of Luzon to be ready for possible storm surges of more than 2m (6ft).
Meanwhile, the Philippine military in northern Luzon has been placed on alert for disaster operations.Meanwhile, the Philippine military in northern Luzon has been placed on alert for disaster operations.
Typhoon Koppu, also known as Lando, is not due to leave the Philippines until Tuesday, when it will be heading towards Taiwan.Typhoon Koppu, also known as Lando, is not due to leave the Philippines until Tuesday, when it will be heading towards Taiwan.
In November 2013, Super Typhoon Haiyan - the strongest storm ever recorded on land - swept into the Philippines, destroying entire towns and leaving more than 6,300 people dead and more than 1,000 missing.
Are you in the Philippines? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments.Are you in the Philippines? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your comments.
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