While On Standby For Topan Usagi, The Philippines Is Threatened By The Man-yi Tropical Storm This Weekend

JAKARTA - The Philippines, which is increasing its preparedness for the Usagi Topan sweep, is in danger of being hit again by the Man-yi Tropical Storm.

Citing AFP, Typhoon Usagi has been above the Philippine Luzon Strait with a force that continues to weaken by about 120 kilometers (75 miles) per hour to southern Taiwan since Friday, November 15 in the morning.

However, a series of bad weather is expected to continue in the central part of the Philippines with estimates of the Man-yi Tropical Storm attacking coastal areas on Sunday 17 November.

Typhoon Usagi has been the fifth storm to hit the Philippines in the past three weeks. The Typhoon left roofs of houses on the northern island of Luzon heavily damaged, livestock cages destroyed.

Meanwhile rescue teams continued to arrive to help affected residents on the island of Luzon.

The recent wave of disasters in the Philippines has killed at least 159 people and prompted the United Nations (UN) to disburse aid of US$32.9 million for areas severely affected.

Yesterday, Typhoon Usagi caused flash floods in 10 villages, most of which have been evacuated to Gonzaga City, Cagayan Province.

"We rescued a number of people who refused to move to shelters and were trapped on the roofs of their houses," said local rescue team official Edward Gaspar to AFP by telephone.

Meanwhile, 5,000 Gonzaga residents were evacuated before the typhoon hit.

Gaspar added that two houses in Gonzaga were swept away and many others were damaged, while the livestock industry in the area suffered a severe blow.

"We haven't calculated the exact number of pigs, cows and poultry lost due to flooding, but I can say the losses are huge," Gaspar said.