Typhoon Usagi—locally known as Ofel—struck the northern Philippines with immense force on Thursday afternoon, damaging homes, displacing families, and creating widespread concern across the affected regions.

MANILA: The Philippines raised its highest storm alert and evacuated thousands of people on Thursday (Nov 14), as Super Typhoon Usagi barrelled towards its already disaster-ravaged north.

Typhoon Usagi weakened sharply on Friday after bearing down on the Philippines' northern towns, blowing away houses in its path as authorities brace for another storm that could hit the capital Manila over the weekend.