Doha: Philippine authorities evacuated thousands of residents from coastal and low-lying areas in the north on Monday, as Super Typhoon Ragasa -- one of the strongest storms to hit the country this year -- barreled toward Luzon. Schools and offices were closed as a precaution.

According to Qatar News Agency, the Philippine weather bureau said Ragasa was packing sustained winds of up to 215 kilometers per hour, with gusts reaching 265 kph. As of this morning, it was located east of Kalayaan City in Cagayan province and moving west at 20 kph. The storm could pass near or make landfall in the Babuyan Islands by midday.

Authorities warned of life-threatening coastal flooding, with waves expected to exceed 3 meters (10 feet) within the next 24 hours. Power outages were reported on Kalayaan Island and across the mountainous province of Apayao, though no injuries or major damage had been reported as of early Monday.

Ragasa is the 14th typhoon to strike the Philippines this year and is forecast to linger over the South China Sea until Wednesday.