Typhoon Mawar forces mass evacuations in the Philippines.

Thousands of villagers are being evacuated, schools and offices are being shut down, and a no-sail ban has been imposed as Typhoon Mawar approaches the northern provinces of the Philippines. The typhoon is expected to spare the mountainous region a direct hit, but authorities warn of dangerous tidal surges, flash floods, and landslides. More than 4,800 people have been evacuated to emergency shelters, and disaster-preparedness officials warn that the typhoon's course could change abruptly. The Philippines is one of the world's most disaster-prone countries, with about 20 typhoons and storms each year.