The Philippines' Typhoon Vamco, Malaysia issues advisory

Siti Farhana Sheikh Yahya
November 12, 2020 19:58 MYT

Residents affected by floods from Typhoon Vamco are rescued on a boat, at Marikina, Metro Manila, Philippines, November 12, 2020. - REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

Typhoon Vamco in the Philippines

After the devastating impact of Super Typhoon Goni just several weeks ago which left at least 25 people dead, Typhoon Vamco had struck Philippines’ main Luzon island overnight.

The Office of Civil Defence reported at least 2 people were killed and 4 reported missing.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration hoisted a Signal 3 warning, on a scale of 1 to 5, for much of Luzon, including the Manila metropolitan area.

The typhoon caused the worst floods in the country’s capital in years with tens of thousands of homes submerged by the floods while residents scramble onto rooftops awaiting rescue.

The Philippines Coast Guard said it had deployed at least 20 rescue teams in the capital and nearby provinces.

Vamco is the 21st cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, the fourth in the capital after Typhoon Molave, Typhoon Goni, and Tropical Storm Etau, in the span of a month.

Vamco is forecast to head towards Vietnam next, with the weather agency there expecting the storm to hit the central region on Sunday.

Malaysia on alert

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) has issued an advisory on typhoon Vamco, which is currently located 1,108 kilometres northeast of Sandakan, Sabah.

The storm which is located about 333 km northwest of Samar Island in the Philippines was moving westward at a speed of 20 km per hour as of 5pm yesterday and could reach a maximum speed of 126 km per hour.

Sabah and Labuan Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) director, First Admiral Mohd Rosli Abdullah said the tropical storm could trigger strong winds and rough seas, with waves of up to 2.5 to 3.5 metres high in the South China Sea.

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