5 dead in the Philippines and thousands evacuated in Taiwan as Hurricane Buffy approaches

Five people died as a result of landslides in the Philippines, while more than a thousand people were evacuated in Taiwan, as Typhoon Buffy approaches, which is expected to be the strongest in the region in decades.

Hurricane Buffy, which previously swept islands in the Pacific Ocean, is expected to hit northern and eastern Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, before spreading to islands in southern Japan and then heading towards China.

Police in the Philippines said that a landslide resulted from heavy rains due to the passage of “Bavi”, killing at least five people and leaving six missing on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

In Taiwan, residents of the coastal city of Keelung, located in the far north of the island, stored food supplies, installed adhesive tapes on windows, and placed sandbags in front of shops, in compliance with the recommendations of the authorities.

After the hurricane caused massive destruction in the islands of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands when it was classified as a super-strong hurricane, its classification was downgraded to a regular hurricane. The wind speed associated with it currently reached 198 kilometers per hour, according to the Taiwan Meteorological Agency.

The agency explained that “Bavi” is the largest typhoon to hit Taiwan since 1995.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te urged residents of areas most vulnerable to the effects of BAVI to remain on high alert.

He said on his Facebook account: “Although the hurricane has weakened slightly and is now classified as a moderate hurricane, its wide range of winds may cause strong winds and heavy rain in different areas.”

More than a thousand people were evacuated from their homes, including almost all residents of eastern Hualien County, where authorities monitor two dam lakes in mountainous areas.

The government announced the cancellation of studies and work on Friday in eight provinces and cities in northern and eastern Taiwan, including Taipei.