Typhoon Koppu, locally known in the Philippines as typhoon Lando, entered the country on Sunday and is expected to bring heavy rain and wind for days. There was one recorded casualty, as hundreds remain missing and around 23,000 were displaced from their homes.

Koppu made its landfall in Casiguran, bringing winds close to 200km/h (124mph). The typhoon toppled trees and destroyed power lines, causing floods and landslides. As local news agency Rappler reports, a 14-year-old boy was crushed to his death while hundreds are missing and around 23,000 were displaced from their homes.

Koppu is slowly moving towards the northern part of Luzon. Although the typhoon has weakened since it entered on Sunday, Koppu is expected to exit Philippine landmass earlier than expected on Tuesday, Oct. 20, but will stay within the Philippine Area of Responsibility until Saturday, Oct. 24, according to state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The agency earlier predicted that the typhoon will leave the Philippines on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Koppu will be considered a severe tropical storm by Monday, and a tropical storm by Tuesday.

Koppu’s centre was last located by PAGASA to be in the vicinity of Santa Fe, Nueva Vizcaya, with maximum sustained winds of 150km/h near the centre and gusts of up to 185 km/h.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said on Sunday that a total of 16,351 individuals were evacuated.

Even though Koppu is weakening, northern Philippines is not spared from the aftermath of the storm. Head of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Alexander Palma, told reporters that people should remain alert during this time of calamity. Authorities warned of possible flash floods and landslides in the Cordillera region. Palma added that Philippine authorities are recommending forced evacuations in the area as it is landslide and flood prone.

Manila, the country’s capital, is not spared from threats brought about by Koppu. Dams are filled up and the authorities will be forced to release water that will be streaming to the Pampanga river, a major runway that spill into one region before going to Manila Bay.

Koppu severely affected Luzon and caused widespread power and communication disruption, with roads and bridges blocked by fallen trees, landslides or are flooded.

Storm signals were raised in different provinces; classes and commercial flights were cancelled as well.

In 2013, the Philippines was hit by Super Typhoon Haiyan which killed 6,300 people and displaced thousands.

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