Typhoon Yutu makes landfall in northern Philippines

MANILA - Typhoon Yutu made landfall over Isabela province in northern Philippine main island Luzon early Tuesday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

Yutu slammed into Isabela at around 4:00 am local time, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km per hour and gusts of up to 210 kph. It was moving westward at 20 kph. Moderate to heavy rain is expected over Northern and Central Luzon.

According to PAGASA, flooding and landslides were also a danger in both Northern and Central Luzon, with three-meter high storm surges likely to wash over the coasts of Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Pangasinan.

PAGASA advised fishermen and others with small vessels not to set sail in areas covered by the gale warning. Larger vessels should watch out for big waves.

School classes have also been suspended in many provinces.

The typhoon will track through Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet and La Union.

It is expected to leave the Philippines by Wednesday.

Typhoon Yutu is the Philippines' 18th tropical cyclone for 2018. The country usually gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones every year.