Thousands moved to safety as typhoon heads for Leyte
Assalamu alaikum - Thousands of people in coastal provinces of the Philippines were moved to safer areas on Monday as Typhoon Kalmaegi closed in on Leyte island. The national weather service says the storm is bringing winds around 120 kph (75 mph) with gusts up to 150 kph.
Local disaster officials said evacuations are ongoing in towns like Palo and Tanauan, places that were badly hit by storm surges in 2013 when Super Typhoon Haiyan caused massive loss of life. Neighbors on Samar island have also seen preemptive moves since Sunday, with forecasts of three-meter (about 10-foot) surges. Some local governments have even ordered mandatory evacuations in areas where the storm is expected to make landfall, such as Guiuan.
Officials noted the Philippines averages about 20 storms and typhoons a year, and with Kalmaegi the country has already reached that typical number; more systems are possible before December ends. In nearby Dinagat Islands province, authorities said 10,000–15,000 people were shifted to safer ground over the past two days to avoid danger. In Loreto town, residents were advised to go to higher ground; the town’s one-story wave-breaker dike may not be enough against very large waves.
Scientists warn that storms are getting stronger because of human-driven climate change, and natural patterns like La Niña can bring higher numbers of cyclones. The country recently faced two big storms in September, including one that caused widespread damage and deaths in nearby areas.
May Allah keep everyone safe and grant protection to those affected - please make dua for the families and those involved in rescue and relief efforts.
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