Philippines: Manila’s Ninoy Aquino Airport (MNL) to suspend operations due to Typhoon Tisoy Dec. 3 /update 4

Event

Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) will reportedly close and suspend flight operations from 11:00 to 23:00 (local time) on Tuesday, December 3, due to approaching Typhoon Tisoy (Kammuri). Representatives of Philippine Airlines have advised passengers traveling via MNL or Clark International Airport (CRK) from Monday, December 2, through Wednesday, December 4, to confirm their flight status prior to leaving for the airport as additional flight cancelations or delays are possible.

As of 20:00 on Tuesday, the center of the typhoon was located near 13.0°N, 124.7°E, packing maximum sustained winds of 213 kph (132.3 mph) and moving westward at 17 kph (10 mph). The storm is forecast to make landfall in southeastern Luzon's Bicol region, south of Manila, by late Monday night or early Tuesday morning. Heavy rainfall is forecast to inundate southern Luzon over the coming hours, with rainfall totals between 20-30 cm (8-12 in); consequent flash flooding and landslides are to be expected. Wind gusts of up to 200 kph (124 mph) are possible in the area, as well as storm surge of up to 3 m (10 ft) in the Philippines' eastern coastlines near the storm.

Tens of thousands of people in the forecast area of impact have been forced to move to evacuation centers and schools have been closed across the region as of Monday. Associated flooding, landslides, power outages, and severe disruptions to transportation and business are expected across affected areas of the Philippines. Officials at the Southeast Asian Games have reported some disruptions to events on Monday and Tuesday at several venues across Clark, Manila, and Subic. The Games are scheduled to run through Wednesday, December 11.

Advice

Individuals in the Philippines are advised to monitor local weather reports, anticipate transportation and business disruptions, confirm flight reservations, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities. Avoid walking or driving through floodwaters; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.