Philippine typhoon kills 6, thousands stranded
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-05-13 11:41 Typhoon "Chanchu" whipped
through the northwestern Philippines on Saturday, after killing six people in
stormy seas and leaving more than 10,000 people stranded as air and ferry
services were suspended.
Six people were killed and five were still missing after their boat capsized
off Masbate island in the central Philippines on Friday. Thirteen others on
board were rescued, the National Disaster Coordinating Council said in a
statement.
Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes as "Chanchu", with gusts
of up to 120 kph (75 mph), headed north. In the central Bicol region 300
families had their homes destroyed by powerful winds and flooding.
Some power suppliers were expected to resume services in Bicol on Saturday,
after automatically shutting down during the peak of the storm on Friday.
The capital, Manila, was also hit by powerful winds on Saturday morning and
there were temporary power cuts in some parts of the city.
"Chanchu" is expected to be over the South China Sea by Sunday morning.
About 20 typhoons hit the Philippine archipelago each year, with around half
a dozen crossing the country, mostly during the rainy season that runs from
mid-May to September.
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