Thousands evacuated as Typhoon Mawar nears

Officials began evacuating thousands of villagers, shutting down schools and offices and imposed a no-sail ban on Monday as Typhoon Mawar approached the country’s northern provinces. Although it is expected to slow down considerably, authorities warned of dangerous tidal surges, flash floods and landslides as it blows past the northernmost Batanes province from Tuesday to Wednesday. Mawar tore through Guam last week as the strongest typhoon to hit the region in over two decades.