Typhoon Koppu strengthens as it heads toward Philippines

Heavy rains are expected to inundate many areas on the main northern island of Luzon even before the typhoon makes landfall early Sunday, acting weather bureau chief Esperanza Cayanan said.

Cayanan said another typhoon farther east and a high pressure area north of the country would hold Koppu in a "semi-stationary" position and shroud most of Luzon with an enormous band of thick rain clouds.

"We are looking at the possible worst scenario, not to scare but to allow us to prepare," Cayanan said. "If it stays 24 hours ... and the downpour is sustained, we will surely have floods and landslides."

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