The fifth major storm in three weeks is approaching the Philippines, prompting more largescale evacuations and a United Nations request for emergency funds to help the government ease the plight of hard-hit villagers.

Typhoon Usagi weakened sharply on Friday after bearing down on the Philippines' northern towns, blowing away houses in its path as authorities brace for another storm that could hit the capital Manila over the weekend.

Footage provided by the Philippine Red Cross showed piles of debris and a partially collapsed bridge. Typhoon Usagi has swamped rural villages in floods, knocking out power and displacing thousands. Now a new storm in the Pacific threatens to hit the Philippine archipelago on Sunday - which would be the sixth in less than a month.