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In photos: 'Ompong' retains strength as it blasts the Philippines

Philstar.com

September 15, 2018 | 8:35am

In photos: 'Ompong' retains strength as it blasts the Philippines

In this Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018, NASA satellite image, Super Typhoon Mangkhut churns west towards the Philippines. Philippine officials have begun evacuating thousands of people in the path of the most powerful typhoon this year, closing schools and readying bulldozers for landslides.

Lauren Dauphin / NASA Earth Observatory via AP

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) maintained its ferocious strength as it slammed into the Philippines early Saturday, forcing people in its path to flee their homes.

There were no immediate reports of major damages or casualties, but witnesses have said the storm's ferocious wind and blinding rain ripped off tin roof sheets and knocked out power at the start of the onslaught, the Associated Press reported.

As of 5:00 a.m. Saturday, the state weather bureau tracked "Ompong" in the coastal town of Baggao in Cagayan province on the northern tip of Luzon island. The typhoon is heading towards Apayao and Ilocos Norte.

The powerful storm, which weather forecasters have called the strongest typhoon this year, has maximum sustained winds of 200 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 330 kilometers per hour.

A lone vehicle navigates the road as strong winds and rain from Typhoon Mangkhut batter Tuguegarao city, Cagayan province, northeastern Philippines late Friday, Sept. 14, 2018. Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday, with witnesses saying the storm's ferocious wind and blinding rain ripped off tin roof sheets and knocked out power at the start of the onslaught. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Guests prepare to transfer rooms after the roof was partly damaged due to strong winds from Typhoon Mangkut in Tuguegarao city, Cagayan province, northeastern Philippines on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday, with witnesses saying the storm's ferocious wind and blinding rain ripped off tin roof sheets and knocked out power at the start of the onslaught. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Strong winds and rain batter a town as Typhoon Mangkhut hits Tuguegarao city, Cagayan province, northeastern Philippines on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday, with witnesses saying the storm's ferocious wind and blinding rain ripped off tin roof sheets and knocked out power at the start of the onslaught. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Guests sleep inside a hotel restaurant after the roof of their room was partly damaged due to strong winds from Typhoon Mangkut in Tuguegarao city, Cagayan province, northeastern Philippines on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday, with witnesses saying the storm's ferocious wind and blinding rain ripped off tin roof sheets and knocked out power at the start of the onslaught. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A man rides his tricycle as strong winds and rain from Typhoon Mangkhut batter Tuguegarao city, Cagayan province, northeastern Philippines on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday, with witnesses saying the storm's ferocious wind and blinding rain ripped off tin roof sheets and knocked out power at the start of the onslaught. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

A commuter walks to work amidst traffic barriers which were toppled by Typhoon Mangkhut which barrelled into northeastern Philippines before dawn Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Manila, Philippines. Typhoon Mangkhut, the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Commuters brave the rain and strong winds brought about by Typhoon Mangkhut which barrelled into northeastern Philippines before dawn Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Manila, Philippines. Typhoon Mangkhut, the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Motorists brave the rain and strong winds brought about by Typhoon Mangkhut which barrelled into northeastern Philippines before dawn Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. Typhoon Mangkhut, the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Street sweepers go about their daily business amidst the rain and strong winds brought about by Typhoon Mangkhut which barrelled into northeastern Philippines before dawn Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. Typhoon Mangkhut, the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Motorists avoid a flooded street as heavy rains and strong winds brought about by Typhoon Mangkhut barrelled into northeastern Philippines before dawn Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018, in Manila, Philippines. Typhoon Mangkhut, the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, slammed into the country's northeastern coast early Saturday that forced the evacuation of thousands of residents. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Vehicles maneouver along debris scattered along a road blown by strong winds after Typhoon Mangkhut hit the city of Tuguegarao, Cagayan province, north of Manila early September 15, 2018. Super Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into the northern Philippines, with violent winds and torrential rains, as authorities warned millions in its path of potentially heavy destruction. TED ALJIBE / AFP

The roof of a petrol station has collapsed from strong winds after Typhoon Mangkhut hit the city of Tuguegarao, Cagayan province, north of Manila early September 15, 2018. Super Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into the northern Philippines, with violent winds and torrential rains, as authorities warned millions in its path of potentially heavy destruction. TED ALJIBE / AFP

Workers remove branches of a tree blown by strong winds after Typhoon Mangkhut hit the city of Tuguegarao, Cagayan province, north of Manila early September 15, 2018. Super Typhoon Mangkhut slammed into the northern Philippines, with violent winds and torrential rains, as authorities warned millions in its path of potentially heavy destruction. TED ALJIBE / AFP

Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of the Tuguegarao airport was extensively damaged by the typhoon Ompong. (DOTr)

Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) of the Tuguegarao airport was extensively damaged by typhoon Ompong. (DOTr)

Motorists negotiate a flooded street following heavy rains and strong winds brought about by Typhoon Mangkhut which barreled into northeastern Philippines before dawn Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018 in Manila, Philippines. The typhoon slammed into the Philippines' northeastern coast early Saturday, its ferocious winds and blinding rain ripping off tin roof sheets and knocking out power, and plowed through the agricultural region at the start of the onslaught. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

A resident walks along destroyed stalls at a public market due to strong winds as Typhoon Mangkhut barreled across Tuguegrao city in Cagayan province, northeastern Philippines on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018. The typhoon slammed into the Philippines northeastern coast early Saturday, it's ferocious winds and blinding rain ripping off tin roof sheets and knocking out power, and plowed through the agricultural region at the start of the onslaught. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

WATCH: A roof of a gasoline station yields to typhoon #OmpongPH in Northern Isabela on Saturday. (Video by Walter Bollozos/The Philippine STAR) pic.twitter.com/MOgo5AQGfh
— The Philippine Star (@PhilippineStar) September 15, 2018

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