Super Typhoon Noru hit the Philippines

“We are calling on residents of high-risk areas to respond to the calls to evacuate,” said police chief Rodolfo Azurin. Videos on the Internet, verified by Agence France-Presse, showed trees swaying heavily in the rain and strong winds on the islands.

In Manila, a city of 13 million people, rescue workers were bracing for strong winds and torrential rain. Flights to and from the capital were suspended on Monday. Forced evictions took place in some high-risk areas of the capital region on Sunday and some in slums on the banks of the rivers.

According to the weather service, wind speeds of up to 205 kilometers per hour can be reached. Meteorologists warned of floods, landslides and high waves in the affected areas. Schools remain closed on Monday, and freight traffic is suspended.

The Philippines is regularly hit by storms, and scientists warn that storms are becoming more violent due to global warming. Meteorologist Rob Gill said the rapid swelling that hit Cyclone Noro was “unprecedented”. Wind speed increased by 90 kilometers per hour in one day.

Nuru is expected to weaken and turn into a typhoon as it passes over Luzon before reaching the South China Sea and then into Vietnam. At the end of last year, Hurricane Ray killed more than 400 people and displaced hundreds of thousands.

An average of 20 storms sweep the island nation each year. The most powerful typhoon to date, Haiyan, in 2013 killed or reported 7,300 people missing.