Philippines on Alert as Tropical Cyclone Tino Nears Landfall

Philippines on Alert as Tropical Cyclone Tino Nears Landfall
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The Philippines is bracing for its 20th tropical cyclone of the year as Tropical Cyclone Tino, locally called Kalmaegi, strengthens rapidly off the country’s eastern coast, The Guardian reported. According to the state weather bureau, the storm entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday with sustained winds of 84 km/h and gusts reaching 105 km/h. It is expected to intensify into a typhoon within 24 hours and make landfall over Caraga or Eastern Visayas by Tuesday morning.

Authorities have issued widespread warnings for heavy rainfall of up to 100 mm, with the storm likely to trigger flash floods and landslides in vulnerable eastern provinces. Sea travel has been suspended in Surigao del Norte and nearby islands, while schools and businesses have closed as residents in coastal areas prepare to evacuate. After crossing the archipelago, Tino is forecast to move westward over the West Philippine Sea toward Vietnam later this week.

Meanwhile, in Australia, a powerful supercell storm struck southeast Queensland on Saturday, pelting suburbs with tennis ball-sized hail and strong winds that caused widespread damage. The storm also brought torrential rain and lightning, while meteorologists warned of more unsettled weather across northern and eastern regions in the coming days.