Super Typhoon Parma Heading Towards Storm-Ravaged Philippines3 hours ago
(RTTNews) - Weather forecasters warned Thursday that super typhoon Parma was expected to make landfall in the Philippines later this week, just days after tropical storm "Ketsana" caused wide-spread devastation in the country.
Weather forecasting agencies have said that typhoon Parma will be accompanied by heavy rainfall and destructive winds of up to 240 kph (150 mph) when it makes landfall in the country on Saturday. Parma is currently a Category 4 typhoon and may be upgraded to Category 5 before Saturday.
The weather tracking maps showed that typhoon Parma was some 600 miles southeast of the Philippine capital city of Manila, as on Thursday afternoon. It is expected to make landfall near northeastern Quirino and Isabela provinces on Luzon by Saturday, unless it changes course.
Nathaniel Cruz, head weather forecaster in the Philippines, said there was a possibility of the country avoiding the strongest of the winds accompanying Parma, but warned that the typhoon is almost sure to bring heavy and prolonged rainfall to the already flood-devastated country.
The latest typhoon treat comes just days after tropical storm Ketsana caused wide-spread havoc in the Philippines. The storm hit Philippines on Saturday, bringing with it the heaviest rainfall experienced in the country in more than 40 years.
Floods caused by the storm inundated homes and buildings in the capital city of Manila and a large part of Luzon, prompting authorities to place Metro Manila and 25 other affected provinces under a state of calamity.
Reports indicate the floods to have left over 277 people dead and 400,000 others homeless. The extent of damages caused by floods following tropical storm Ketsana prompted the government of Philippines to appeal for international aid to tackle the massive devastation.