The storm, known locally as Super Typhoon Karding, reached super typhoon status on Sunday morning local time in the Philippines after suddenly intensifying.
“The highest emergency response and preparedness protocol has been activated in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and the Bicol region,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.
He urged the public to be careful, adding that strong winds are expected to arrive in the next 18 hours
The typhoon is expected to make landfall in the northern part of Quezon or the southern part of Aurora in the evening, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in an hourly live television bulletin .
He said he doesn’t rule out landfall earlier at the Polillo Islands in the afternoon.
Schools in several cities, including Muntinlupa City and Aurora, suspended classes on Monday, September 26 due to the approaching storm.
According to CNN Weather, Noru now has winds equal to a Category 5 U.S. hurricane.
Large waves and storm surges, torrential rains and winds of more than 200 kilometers per hour (124 mph) are expected in Luzon during the next 24 hours.
PAGASA issued a warning for the Polillo Islands in anticipation of the heavy damage that the storm could cause.
The warning comes after the storm rapidly intensified early Sunday.
The Joint Typhoon Warning Center said it had strengthened from a 140 km/h (85 mph) typhoon to a 250 km/h (155 mph) super typhoon in just six hours.
Earlier on Sunday, PAGASA issued a level four warning signal for the Polillo Islands in anticipation of major damage and level two and three warnings for much of Luzon, including Metro Manila.
This is a developing story. More to come