Thousands evacuated as Philippines warns of flooding, landslides from approaching Typhoon Mawar

By JIM GOMEZ
Associated Press

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine officials are evacuating thousands of villagers, shutting schools and offices and imposing a no-sail ban as Typhoon Mawar approaches the country’s northern provinces. The typhoon is packing maximum sustained winds of 96 mph and gusts of up to 118 mph but is forecast to spare the mountainous region a direct hit. Current projections show the typhoon veering northeast toward Taiwan or southern Japan. Philippine authorities warned of dangerous tidal surges, flash floods and landslides as the typhoon blows past the northernmost province of Batanes. Mawar tore through Guam last week as the strongest typhoon to hit the U.S. Pacific territory in over two decades, flipping cars, tearing off roofs and knocking down power.