A powerful typhoon is currently hitting the northernmost islands of the Philippines, prompting evacuations, school closures, and warnings of potentially severe damage to coastal villages. Typhoon Krathon, with sustained winds of up to 175km/h and gusts up to 215km/h, is moving westwards and may intensify into a super typhoon heading towards Taiwan.
Despite the strong winds and turbulent weather, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Guilmar Cabejo, a local policeman in Batanes, described how the ferocious wind has caused the streets to empty as people seek shelter from the storm.
Nobody could stand normally outside in this wind