Schools are closing on Monday and thousands of people have been told to flee home as the Philippines braces for the arrival of Super Typhoon Noru.

More than 8000 people had been evacuated from coastal areas by early Monday morning and the country’s capital, Manilla, was expecting “serious flooding”.

The Philippine Stock Exchange said trading would be suspended as heavy to torrential rains drench the capital region and nearby provinces.

“Utility posts fell and homes made of light materials near coastlines were damaged,” Nelson Egargue, disaster chief of Aurora province where Noru made landfall, told DZRH radio station.

Waves whipped up by the category 3 typhoon were battering ports, photos and videos on social media showed, and low-lying areas were flooded.

“The wind is calmer now but it’s dark because we have no power supply,” Eliseo Ruzol, mayor of coastal General Nakar town adjacent to Noru’s landfall location, told DZRH.

The storm, locally named Karding, became a super typhoon on Sunday morning after suddenly intensifying.

It could cause landslides and flash floods.

Noru maintained its strength as it endangered the Polillo Islands with sustained winds of 195km/h near the centre and gusts of up to 240km/h, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

It added there was “extreme threat to life and property”.

Incredible storm surge in Polillo, Quezon, Philippines which was hit by the eyewall of #KardingPH / #Noru.pic.twitter.com/TiSH4di3br

— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) September 25, 2022

“On the forecast track, Karding will likely make landfall in the vicinity of the northern portion of Quezon or the southern portion of Aurora tonight. The possibility of an earlier (afternoon) landfall or close approach in the vicinity of Polillo Islands is not ruled out,” Pagasa said.

Locals have been warned to seek shelter as Noru could hit by Monday morning. Photo: Getty

The super typhoon is expected to bring torrential rains and strong winds to the capital Manila.

“The highest emergency preparedness and response protocol has been activated in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and the Bicol region,” said the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

[AS OF 8PM] Super Typhoon #KardingPH slightly weakens as it is about to make landfall in the vicinity of General Nakar-Dingalan area

Signal no. 5 up in Polillo Islands and parts of Quezon, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Rizal. | via @dost_pagasa pic.twitter.com/o0KPtdQrSv

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 25, 2022

Noru is the 11th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, and is expected to bring torrential rains to the capital area and neighbouring provinces.

Authorities have warned of landslides, floods and destructive winds, while the Philippine Coast Guard said more than 1200 passengers and 28 ships were stranded in ports south of the capital.

-with wires