Philippines evacuates hundreds of thousands ahead of typhoon, to shut main airport

Trees sway near buildings as Typhoon Kammuri, known locally as Typhoon Tisoy, makes landfall in Gamay, Northern Samar, Philippines, December 2, 2019, in this still image from video obtained via social media. Gladys Castillo Vidal via REUTERS

MANILA (Reuters) - The Philippines evacuated 200,000 people in coastal and mountainous areas due to fears of flooding and landslides and said it would also shut its main international airport as a powerful typhoon was set to make landfall on Monday night.

Typhoon Kammuri, the 20th typhoon to hit the country this year, was expected to make landfall on the Philippines' main Luzon island, packing 165 kph wind speeds and gusts of up to 230 kph, the weather bureau said.