15,000 evacuated as storm heads towards central Philippines

[GaryC 7]

15,000 evacuated as storm heads towards central Philippines

LEGASPI, Philippines (AFP) - Thousands of people living around Mayon volcano in the eastern Philippine province of Albay were evacuated amid fears that an approaching storm could trigger fresh mudslides, officials said.

The compulsory evacuation came as a fresh typhoon was heading towards the central Philippines bringing heavy rains to a large area, including the Bicol region which includes Albay.

Last week, super typhoon Durian brought heavy rains and strong winds to Bicol, triggering avalanches of volcanic debris from the slopes of Mayon and burying entire villages, leaving over 1,200 people dead or missing.

Tens of thousands remain homeless and are living in crowded evacuation camps in the area, while others have returned to a moonscape of rock and debris where their villages once stood to retrieve belongings from the mud.

"We have evacuated some 15,000 people from 12 barangays (villages). These are the very vulnerable places because of the strong rains caused by the new typhoon," Albay governor Fernando Gonzales told AFP.

"We don't want to take any more chances," he said, adding that those evacuated were being taken to temporary "holding areas" where their respective mayors could supervise a quick emergency escape in case of fresh mudflows.

In nearby Daraga town, at the foot of Mayon volcano, some 350 kilometers (217 miles) southeast of Manila, people were being boarded onto trucks to be moved out.

Parents accompanied their children to evacuation centres, carrying plastic bags holding their few belongings. Other people fled to the safety of nearby mountains on their own rather than go to government centres.

"These villages are already surrounded by water and in case of flash floods they will have no place to go. So we are putting them in a holding area and after the storm they will be returned to their houses," said Daraga Mayor Gerry Jaucian.

He said there was a danger of flash floods because the nearby river was already silted up from deposits washed down by the last typhoon.

The mayor warned that "there are still a lot of deposits on Mayon volcano" which could again form deadly mudslides if another typhoon hit.

"We are praying that the unexpected does not happen again," he said.

Flights to Legaspi City were cancelled as heavy rains battered the area, leaking through roofs already damaged by typhoon Durian.

Tropical storm Utor intensified into a typhoon as it neared the central Philippines.

As of 11:00 am (0300 GMT) Friday, typhoon Utor was charted about 50 kilometres (31 miles) east of the central island of Samar, moving northwest at 22 kilometres (13.6 miles) per hour with maximum winds of 120 kilometres (74.4 miles) per hour, the weather station said.

It is expected to hit Samar and the northern half of Cebu island later Saturday and will be over the central island of Panay by Sunday, the weather station said, adding it had also brought heavy rains to Bicol where a storm alert has been hoisted.

The third level of a three-step storm alert has been raised over the central islands of Samar, Leyte, Masbate, Dinagat and the northern end of Cebu. Lower storm alerts have been raised over nearby parts of the country including the Bicol region.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061209/wl_as...es_061209171453

[rebelheart 0]

To my fellow kababayan! ..... they we're always on my prayers. I always call my family in Phils. specially when i heard something news like this calamity disturbances. I am so glad that i'm updated with news from manila eventhough i've been far-away now from my family there. I'm very thankful to my husband because he applied Filipino channel for me, so I could see what's been happening in news.

I've sent already relief goods to my family specially to those in the provinces. Hope it reached them before Christmas day!.

[LuzyC 0]

Were 'having bad rain right now..so dark outside even its daytime here gloomy and all..wind so terrible,our power off and on ..urgg ..our rainy season been done already but we still have all this!!!

Oh well..That's life in PI..

My prayers goes to my fellow filipinos who suffered most of this calamity!

[peejay 327]

Were 'having bad rain right now..so dark outside even its daytime here gloomy and all..wind so terrible,our power off and on ..urgg ..our rainy season been done already but we still have all this!!!

Oh well..That's life in PI..

My prayers goes to my fellow filipinos who suffered most of this calamity!

I feel for ya. Our hurricane (typhoon) season is at different times of the year because you are south of the equator (we to the north). I have survived several hurricanes and tropical storms. In fact...I have been inside the eye of a hurricane twice in my life. Good luck & God's blessing!

[StarProg 0]

Fely confirms what Luzy says, it's raining hard already in Zambales area. But this typhoon is much farther to the south. Incidentally peejay the Philippines is north of the equator.

[peejay 327]

Fely confirms what Luzy says, it's raining hard already in Zambales area. But this typhoon is much farther to the south. Incidentally peejay the Philippines is north of the equator.

I guess I get an F in geography. LOL

[Ban Hammer 13,340]

Fely confirms what Luzy says, it's raining hard already in Zambales area. But this typhoon is much farther to the south. Incidentally peejay the Philippines is north of the equator.

I guess I get an F in geography. LOL

perhaps you meant to say west of the international date line instead

[StarProg 0]

Fely confirms what Luzy says, it's raining hard already in Zambales area. But this typhoon is much farther to the south. Incidentally peejay the Philippines is north of the equator.

I guess I get an F in geography. LOL

Truthfully, before I got involved with a Filipino lady, I thought they were south of the equator also.

[sunandmoon 450]

my fiancee is from Davao where they don't usually feel the brunt of a typhoon. she's in Manila now for the interview next week. one thing she said before leaving for Manila, hope there wouldn't be another typhoon. hope this one not as bad as the last one.

[mrc 0]

Man, Susie's family is from Daraga. Her family lost their house in the last typhoon...I don't think she even knows about this storm yet.

[Scott & Lai 12]

Fely confirms what Luzy says, it's raining hard already in Zambales area. But this typhoon is much farther to the south. Incidentally peejay the Philippines is north of the equator.

I guess I get an F in geography. LOL

I could have sworn it was north of the equator...I was getting worried for a moment

[eric&gen 0]

Damn not another typhoon???!!! Hope everyone is ok.