Chanchu batters Philippines

2006-05-12 19:37

Manila - Tropical storm Chanchu has left at least eight people dead, stranded 6 000 passengers, sunk two ferries and triggered landslides that isolated villages in the Philippines.

At least six people drowned when a small ferry capsized in rough waters near Masbate island, said the Filipino coast guard.

Rescuers saved 13 passengers from the motorized outrigger MB Mae An, but five others were missing in the sea off Masbate.

In rural Manapla town, 460km south of Manila, an electric line severed by a swaying coconut tree electrocuted Army Berjamin as she fed pigs near home.

Her husband was killed when he tried to help her, said Berjamin's sister.

The storm forced the country's coast guard to stop ferry services between the south eastern tip of the main island of Luzon and Samar island, stranding nearly 6 000 passengers, 21 sea vessels, and 230 buses, trucks and cars, according to the Filipino office of civil defence.

12 villages isolated in Southern Leyte

Maritime industry authority officer Arnie Santiago said an empty ferry, M/V Northern Samar, sank after big waves buffeted the vessel as it was being towed to a shelter in Tabaco.

Southern Leyte provincial governor Rosette Lerias said landslides and floods had isolated at least 12 villages in her province on Thursday.

She said about 6 000 people were affected.

A swollen river threatened at least six more villages, she said.

Lerias appealed over the radio for residents living on the riverside to evacuate.

On Friday, the country's office of civil defence listed nine villages isolated in Southern Leyte's Sogod town. Provincial officials said floods have subsided in some of the villages.

The office said 13 families in Southern Leyte's Macrohon town had to take shelter in a nearby evacuation centre because their homes were submerged.

The country's weather bureau reported that Chanchu had weakened, and was moving north westward at 22kph, packing winds of 95kph with gusts of up to 120kph.

- AP