Super Typhoon Sinlaku to impact Northern Mariana Islands and Guam

A Super Typhoon Sinlaku Approaches Guam

A slow-moving storm system, Sinlaku, is currently heading towards the Mariana Islands in the northern Pacific Ocean. The storm, which formed on April 9, has sustained winds of 278 km/hour (173 mph) and is expected to bring destructive winds and heavy rains to the region.

According to the US Joint Typhoon Warning System, Sinlaku is approximately 68 nautical miles southeast of the island of Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands. The storm is moving at a pace of about 14 km/hour (9 mph). While it appears to be weakening, Sinlaku still poses an extreme threat to the region.

Guam’s Office of Civil Defence has issued warnings for widespread rain and flooding, as well as destructive winds that could cause power outages. Although Guam is not expected to be directly hit by Sinlaku, residents can still expect high winds of up to 64-80 km/hour (40-50 mph) and gusts of up to 105 km/hour (65 mph).

The office has also warned residents to stay out of the water due to dangerous sea conditions that are expected to last until Thursday. Sinlaku’s impact on the outer islands and atolls of Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia was significant, according to Landon Aydlett, a meteorologist with the weather service in Guam.

Meanwhile, Australia has pledged $1.75 million in assistance to Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands following Tropical Cyclone Maila, which caused widespread damage and loss of life in the region.

Source: Al Jazeera