Super Typhoon Sinlaku batters Saipan

While there have been no early reports of casualties, officials describe the damage as 'huge' across the islands, which are home to nearly 50,000 people.

The National Weather Service in Guam issued urgent warnings as the storm slowed down to inflict more destruction before moving northwest.

Emergency crews are currently assessing the extent of the damage to the power grid and water supplies.

The storm's intensity has highlighted the vulnerability of remote Pacific islands to increasingly severe weather events.