The Philippines began evacuating tens of thousands of people from coastal areas in the central Bicol region as typhoon Mitag gathered strength, officials said yesterday.

The Philippines is trying to avoid a repeat of last year?s devastating typhoon Durian, which killed 1,200 people and left 120,000 homeless when it crashed through Bicol, the country?s typhoon alley.

Glenn Rabonza, the head of the civil defence office, said about 10,000 people living on the slopes of Mayon volcano in Bicol had already been evacuated and the number was expected to rise to 50,000 in the next 24 hours. ?We?re worried about the huge amount of volcanic debris that might be re-mobilised and eat up communities along the slopes of Mount Mayon,? Rabonza told reporters. Mitag, currently a category 1 typhoon with winds of 120 kph and gusts of up to 150 kph, is expected to make landfall this weekend.