MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine authorities issued an urgent appeal on Saturday for residents in low-lying areas and coastal towns to move to safety as super typhoon Man-Yi gained strength on its approach towards the country's main Luzon island.

A super typhoon barreled toward the Philippines’ largest island on Sunday, as more than half a million people sought shelter from the latest in a string of powerful storms to threaten the country.

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Super Typhoon Man-yi had sustained wind speeds of 160 mph as it made landfall in the Philippines on Saturday. The massive storm has forced over 500,000 people out of their homes in the country's Bicol Region, which constitutes six provinces.