Thousands trapped by typhoon
2006-09-27 14:39
Manila - Thousands of people were trapped in flash floods and stranded in
various ports in the Philippines on Wednesday as a powerful typhoon
battered eastern and central provinces, officials said.
No casualties were so far reported, but authorities warned
typhoon Xangsane was threatening more areas, including Manila and
nearby northern provinces.
The national disaster co-ordinating council announced that school
classes in all levels were suspended in metropolitan Manila and
nearby provinces on Thursday as a precautionary measure.
It also urged residents to brace for heavy rains and strong
winds spawned by Xangsane, which was packing maximum sustained
winds of 120km per hour and gusts of up to 150km per hour.
In the central Philippines, some 100 families were trapped in
their homes in San Antonio village in Barbasa town, Antique
province, 390km south of Manila, amid rising floodwaters
due to Xangsane.
The air force has launched operations to evacuate the residents,
but the bad weather was hampering the efforts.
More than 3 500 other people have been stranded in various ports
in eastern provinces as the coast guard stopped ships from
travelling due to strong winds and huge waves.
The office of civil defence said at least 12 boats and ferries
were stopped from leaving the ports in the provinces of Sorsogon,
Albay and Masbate.
The weather bureau said Xangsane was moving north-west at 13km/h and was expected to cross over Manila by Thursday.
It urged residents in affected areas to be on alert against
flash floods and landslides, while those in coastal areas were
advised to seek higher ground due to a possible storm surge.
Sapa-dpa
- SAPA