The Philippine National Weather Service said Mawar was moving closer to the Philippines with winds near the center of the storm reaching 165 km/h, gusting above 205 km/h. It is expected to gradually weaken until May 30.
Several areas in the northern Philippines received windstorm warnings, while some local residents were evacuated.
Despite weakening, Super Typhoon Mawar is still forecast to bring heavy rain and strong winds in parts of the western Philippines with the potential to cause flooding and landslides.
Preparing relief goods before Super Typhoon Mawar in Quezon City - Philippines on May 27. Photo: EPA
"Mawar's rainfall and winds in the Philippines will depend on how close the storm approaches before it is expected to turn north towards Japan's Ryukyu Islands and east of Taiwan," AccuWeather said.
Philippine authorities have ordered sea voyages to be suspended and warned small boats not to fish offshore.
A few days ago, Mawar caused widespread damage to Guam - USA. It increased in strength to a super typhoon, about the same as a Category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic as it moved towards the Philippines.
The Guam Electricity Authority said nearly the entire island of 52.000 homes and businesses lost power. There were no reports of casualties, but Mawar caused heavy material damage.
CNN quoted Governor Lou Leon Guerrero as saying most of Guam was damaged. Many local residents do not have access to electricity or clean water.
Currently, this super typhoon continues to move north, then northeast, is expected to affect Taiwan (China) and South Korea. Depending on the weather conditions of the area, Mawar may move westward towards Taiwan or northwest towards Japan and may weaken as it encounters cooler air-seas.
Weather experts confirmed to The Independent that Mawar's strength has outstripped any previous storms in 2022.
