Super Typhoon Man-yi hit the archipelago’s most populous island; The national weather service warned of flooding, mudslides and large waves as the storm spread across the country.

Man-yi was still experiencing maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h after making initial landfall on the sparsely populated island of Catanduanes late Saturday.

More than 1.2 million people fled their homes ahead of Man-yi, with weather forecasters warning the powerful storm followed by unusually severe weather would have a “life-threatening” impact.

Man-yi uprooted trees, destroyed power lines and shattered flimsy homes into pieces after hitting Catanduanes in the typhoon-prone Bicol region.

Civil defense chief Ariel Nepomuceno said no deaths were reported but there was “major” damage to structures in Catanduanes.

Man-yi remains a super typhoon as it hits densely populated Luzon, the country’s economic engine, forecasters said, warning of a “potentially dangerous” situation in Aurora province.

The weather service said “significant weakening” was expected as it passed through the mountainous island. However, he added that severe flooding and landslides were expected as Man-yi dumped “heavy to heavy” rain on provinces along its path.

Forecasters also warned that storm waves exceeding three meters could swamp vulnerable coastal communities, including Manila.

The municipality of Panganiban in northeastern Catanduanes took a direct hit from Man-yi.

Photos and drone video shared on Mayor Cesar Robles’ Facebook page showed downed power lines, damaged and collapsed buildings, trees strewn on the roads and corrugated iron sheets.

While cleanup efforts continued and people returned to their homes, Robles shared a post using Man-yi’s local name, saying, “Pepito was so strong, I have never experienced such a strong typhoon.”

“It’s still a little unsafe, there’s still wind blasts and there’s a lot of debris.”

Man-yi is the sixth storm to devastate the country in the past month. —AFP