The storm was packing destructive winds with speeds equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane. Forecasters warned of a “potentially catastrophic” situation.

MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine authorities issued an urgent appeal on Saturday for residents in low-lying areas and coastal towns to move to safety as super typhoon Man-Yi gained strength on its approach towards the country's main Luzon island.

A potentially catastrophic super typhoon has made landfall in the Philippines - the sixth typhoon to hit the country in a month. Man-Yi, known locally as Pepito, touched down at 21:40 local time (13:40 GMT) with maximum wind speeds of 195 km/h (121mph) along the coast of the eastern Catanduanes island, the state forecaster said.