The Philippines has been ordered to evacuate as the world’s strongest 2020 storm approaches

Preliminary evacuations have begun in coastal and landslide-prone areas in the provinces of Commarines Norte and Cameroon Sur, but local disaster officer Gremil Naz told DZBB radio that the Albe Provincial government is ordering people living in dangerous areas to evacuate their homes. “The strength of this storm is not a joke.”

Typhoon Molaw As many as 22 people were killed last week, mostly in the provinces south of the capital Manila, on the way to Goni, the country’s 18th tropical storm.

Authorities are facing another hurdle as they need to impose physical distance at evacuation centers to prevent the spread of coronavirus. The Philippines has the second highest number of COVID-19 infections and deaths in Southeast Asia, after Indonesia.

Relief supplies, heavy machinery and personal protective equipment are already in key areas, the mayor of Infanta in Quezon province told Filipino Grace America DZBB Radio. “But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our funds are not enough to cover disaster concerns and costs.”

Local authorities canceled port operations and prevented fishermen from traveling.

Hurricane Goni, which is moving west from the Pacific Ocean at a speed of 20 km per hour, is expected to bring heavy rains to the capital and 14 nearby provinces on Saturday evening, causing floods and landslides.

Another typhoon, Atsani, is gaining strength outside the Philippines. Every year 20 hurricanes hit the Philippines.