MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine President Benigno Aquino III went on national television Friday to advise Filiipinos to prepare for powerful Typhoon Koppu, which is expected to bring torrential rains that could flood wide areas of the north.
It was the first time Aquino has personally issued a storm warning on television since super Typhoon Haiyan barrelled through the central Philippines in November 2013, leaving more than 7,300 dead and missing.
"Your government is here in order to ensure that we will meet our goal of zero casualties," he said. "But I must emphasize (that) each local government unit, community, and Filipino that will be affected has the duty to co-operate ... to overcome the challenges ahead."
He said the Social Welfare Department estimates that 1.5 million families, or about 7.5 million people, will need relief assistance.
Disaster relief personnel, equipment and goods have been readied for the typhoon, which is forecast to make landfall this weekend in northern Isabela province, officials say.
Weather forecaster Adzar Aurelio said the typhoon was packing winds of 130 kilometres (81 miles) per hour with gusts up to 160 kph (99 mph). It was about 500 kilometres (313 miles) west of the Philippines but moving steadily toward land.
Aurelio said that as Koppu moves closer its winds are likely to intensify to 185 kph (115 mph).
In comparison, Haiyan packed winds of up to 275 kph (170 mph) and was one the strongest typhoons on record to make landfall.
Koppu could linger over the Philippines for several days while dumping heavy rains because of a high pressure area north of the country that will block its expected northwestern path, forecasters said.
It will be the 12th storm to hit the Philippines this year. An average of 20 storms enter the country annually.
