Philippines issues fresh warning of major storm

ANKARA

The Philippines issued a new weather warning as another typhoon approached the country, local media reported Tuesday.

The latest major storm is the fifth to bear down on the archipelago in three weeks as thousands of people are already displaced in various parts of the country.

Typhoon Toraji, locally known as Typhoon Nika, further intensified as it approached the boundary of Isabela and Aurora provinces, local media outlet Inquirer Net reported, citing the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Seven areas of Northern Luzon have now been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 as it is moving west-northwestward at 15 kilometers (9.32 miles) per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers (80.7 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 180 kilometers (112 miles) per hour, according to media reports.

Last month, two tropical cyclones struck the country, leaving 146 people dead and 8.6 million people displaced.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid