Flash floods and landslides killed at least 17 people in the southern Philippines

[Riccar08 0]

MANILA, Philippines - Flash floods and landslides killed at least 17 people in the southern Philippines on Saturday as heavy rains from Typhoon Fengshen inundated the region, causing widespread damage.

Ten people drowned after the Rifao River overflowed its banks and swept away three houses in a riverside village in South Upi in southern Maguindanao province, provincial administrator Norie Unas said. Five others were missing.

At least 40 people were trapped on an island in the middle of the river, said town councilor Justina Betita. She appealed to the military to send a helicopter to rescue them, but there was no immediate response from the air force.

In nearby Cotabato city, a 50-year-old man and his 10-year-old grandson were killed when a landslide buried their hillside shanty, Mayor Muslimin Sema said.

Four other people drowned in Maguindanao, while in neighboring Cotabato province, authorities recovered the body of a farmer, one of three people reported missing, the mayors of two towns reported.

Officials said neck-deep flood waters forced the evacuation of 200 families in Sultan Kudarat township in southern Shariff Kabunsuan province, near Cotabato city.

The typhoon packed sustained winds of 88 miles per hour and gusts of up to 106 mph when it made landfall near the southern tip of Samar island, southeast of Manila, late Friday.

Although the typhoon was cutting through the central Philippines, its ring of rain clouds covered large areas of the main southern island of Mindanao, where the deaths were reported.

Officials ordered the evacuation of more than 117,000 people from areas prone to floods and landslides in central Albay province. But many returned home by midday Saturday after the typhoon missed the area.

The typhoon maintained its strength as it moved toward the southern part of Mindoro island, south of Manila. The weather bureau raised the second highest storm alert for nine provinces in the area.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council reported flooding, landslides and power outages caused by toppled power pylons in many areas in the central Philippines.

Big waves prompted the coast guard to stop ferry services, stranding hundreds of passengers traveling to central islands, the agency said.

Airport authorities said 89 flights to and from the central Philippines had been canceled because of the typhoon.

The Typhoon is now headed toward Cebu. Carol did not come to chat last night. I hope she is alright

Carol lives in General Santos City, South Cotabato.

[DARUMA07 25]

MANILA, Philippines - Flash floods and landslides killed at least 17 people in the southern Philippines on Saturday as heavy rains from Typhoon Fengshen inundated the region, causing widespread damage.

Ten people drowned after the Rifao River overflowed its banks and swept away three houses in a riverside village in South Upi in southern Maguindanao province, provincial administrator Norie Unas said. Five others were missing.

At least 40 people were trapped on an island in the middle of the river, said town councilor Justina Betita. She appealed to the military to send a helicopter to rescue them, but there was no immediate response from the air force.

In nearby Cotabato city, a 50-year-old man and his 10-year-old grandson were killed when a landslide buried their hillside shanty, Mayor Muslimin Sema said.

Four other people drowned in Maguindanao, while in neighboring Cotabato province, authorities recovered the body of a farmer, one of three people reported missing, the mayors of two towns reported.

Officials said neck-deep flood waters forced the evacuation of 200 families in Sultan Kudarat township in southern Shariff Kabunsuan province, near Cotabato city.

The typhoon packed sustained winds of 88 miles per hour and gusts of up to 106 mph when it made landfall near the southern tip of Samar island, southeast of Manila, late Friday.

Although the typhoon was cutting through the central Philippines, its ring of rain clouds covered large areas of the main southern island of Mindanao, where the deaths were reported.

Officials ordered the evacuation of more than 117,000 people from areas prone to floods and landslides in central Albay province. But many returned home by midday Saturday after the typhoon missed the area.

The typhoon maintained its strength as it moved toward the southern part of Mindoro island, south of Manila. The weather bureau raised the second highest storm alert for nine provinces in the area.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council reported flooding, landslides and power outages caused by toppled power pylons in many areas in the central Philippines.

Big waves prompted the coast guard to stop ferry services, stranding hundreds of passengers traveling to central islands, the agency said.

Airport authorities said 89 flights to and from the central Philippines had been canceled because of the typhoon.

The Typhoon is now headed toward Cebu. Carol did not come to chat last night. I hope she is alright

Carol lives in General Santos City, South Cotabato.

Did it get into Tacloban City, Leyte? Ruchie's family is there!

[Riccar08 0]

Here are some photos of Typhoon Fengshen floods. It looks like Zamboanga City, Iloilo, and Boracay

got hit real hard.

http://news.search.yahoo.com/search/news?p...r=&c=images

[Andy-n-Maricar 6]

My prayers go out to everyone affected.

[dora2X 0]

there's a strong wind here in my place at manila that waked me up... its soo scary that the cables of electricity outside the street went out of places..

i'm hearing roofs collapsing at my neighboors... oh no.. hope this will be done right away. so everyones will be safe.

[simplygem 0]

Just received a text from Gem. No power in Antipolo City. The storm has been upgraded to signal 3 for many areas in metro Manila including Rizal. :( Please include everyone who is over there taking whatever precautions to remain safe in your prayers. God will protect all our loved ones.

Frank....(Why did they have to name the storm after me?? )

[KC♥MP 0]

I hope no more lives will be lost in this typhoon and property damages as well. My prayers to all our kababayans that they will all be safe