Monday, September 26, 2011

100,000 ordered to flee as typhoon approaches Philippines

MANILA,(27/09/11)(Tehelkanews)

Philippines — Large typhoon approaches Philippines, 100,000 ordered to flee their homesAuthorities ordered more than 100,000 people to flee their homes Monday as a large typhoon blew closer to the northern Philippines, forcing the cancellation of dozens of domestic flights and ferry services, officials said.



Typhoon Nesat strengthened at sea before its expected landfall early Tuesday in eastern Aurora province with sustained winds of 130 kilometres per hour and gusts of 160 kph. With its immense 650-kilometre cloud band, it threatened to foul weather across the entire main Luzon island, forecasters said.



Heavy downpours and wind on Monday prompted the government to shut schools in the capital, Manila, while airlines cancelled about 40 flights to central and eastern parts of the Philippine archipelago.



The coast guard also grounded inter-island ferries, stranding many travellers.



About 112,000 people were ordered to leave their homes in five towns prone to flash floods and landslides in Albay province. More than 50,000 had fled to government-run evacuation centres and relatives\' homes by noon Monday, officials said.



\"We can\'t manage typhoons, but we can manage their effects,\" Albay Gov. Joey Salceda said.



Authorities were closely watching farming communities at the base of Mayon volcano in Albay, about 340 kilometres southeast of Manila.



Tons of ash have been deposited on Mayon\'s slopes by past eruptions, and mudslides caused by a typhoon in 2006 buried entire villages, leaving about 1,600 people dead and missing, officials said.



The typhoon bore down on the Philippines exactly two years after nearly 500 people died in the worst flooding in decades in Manila. Residents offered prayers and planted trees Monday to remember people who died while saving other residents during the 2009 disaster.



Nesat is the 16th weather disturbance to hit the Philippines this year. About 20 storms and typhoons lash the Southeast Asian nation each year.



It is expected to exit the Philippines into the South China Sea late Wednesday or early Thursday and then head toward southern China.


News From: http://www.7StarNews.com

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