ANKARA

The Philippines authorities began​​​​​​​ evacuating thousands of villagers, shut down schools and offices, and imposed a no-sail ban Monday as Cyclone Betty approached the country's northern provinces.

The cyclone, which hit the Philippines a week after striking the US territory of Guam, is packing the maximum sustained winds of 155 kilometers per hour (96 miles per hour) and gusts of up to 190 kph (118 mph).

However, it is forecast to spare the mountainous region a direct hit, the local English daily Sun Star reported, citing civil defense officials.

The government has put all rescue personnel and equipment of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority such as boats, rescue vehicles, and military trucks on alert, another English daily Manila Times reported.

The Philippines National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. according to the daily, ordered the deployment of policemen and equipment to several areas in Northern Luzon to assist in the preemptive evacuation, and rescue and relief operations.

The Visayas Command also stepped up its humanitarian assistance and disaster response in case Betty affects areas in the Visayas.

Residents in Northern Luzon and in other areas such as Palawan, Pampanga, and Negros Occidental were evacuated to safer areas ahead of the cyclone.

According to the current projections, Betty is veering northeast toward Taiwan or southern Japan.

Although the cyclone is likely to slow down considerably, government officials have warned of dangerous tidal surges, flash floods, and landslides as it blows past the northernmost province of Batanes from Tuesday to Wednesday.​​​​​​​