Warning of 'catastrophic' impact as super typhoon lashes Philippines

Super Typhoon Man-yi made landfall in the Philippines on Nov 16, with the national weather forecaster warning of a "potentially catastrophic and life-threatening" impact, as waves up to 14m high pounded the coastline.

Man-yi was packing sustained wind speeds of 195kmh when it slammed into Panganiban municipality on Catanduanes island at 9.40pm, the forecaster said.

More than 650,000 people had fled their homes ahead of Super Typhoon Man-yi, which became the sixth major storm to pummel the archipelago nation in the past month.

"Potentially catastrophic and life-threatening situation looms for north-eastern Bicol region as Super Typhoon 'Pepito' further intensifies," the forecaster said in its latest update, using the local name for the storm and referring to the southern part of the main island of Luzon.

More than 7.6 million people were at risk from storm surges of 1m to 3m, the forecaster said.

At least 163 people have died in the five storms that pounded the Philippines in recent weeks, with thousands left homeless and crops and livestock wiped out.

The government urged people on Nov 16 to heed warnings to flee to safety.

"If pre-emptive evacuation is required, let us do so and not wait for the hour of peril before evacuating or seeking help, because if we did that, we will be putting in danger not only our lives but also those of our rescuers," Interior Undersecretary Marlo Iringan said.