Philippines: Typhoon Melor kills three, affects millions
Typhoon Melor swept through the central Philippines on December 15, killing at least three and leaving millions without power.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), the tropical storm uprooted trees and cut off electricity supply in at least seven central provinces.
Of the three people killed, two drowned due to storm-triggered flooding in Samar island’s Catarman town.
Melor brushed the Bicol peninsula – home to 5.4 million people – on the night of December 14 before slamming into the Romblon island the next morning.
Gusts weakened on December 15 morning but were still recorded at 170 kilometres per hour from 185 kilometres per hour a day earlier. The storm is forecast to continue to weaken further as it heads to Mindoro island and the East Sea later the same day.
No casualties have so far recorded in the Bicol region, where 720,000 people were evacuated last weekend.
The storm also forced the cancellation of 16 domestic flights on December 15, adding to the 56 flights cancelled previously, said the NDRRMC.
Meanwhile, another tropical storm is forming east of Mindanao, the country's main southern island.
An average of 20 typhoons hits the Philippines every year. In October, Typhoon Koppu carved through north Philippines, killing 54 people and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.
In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest on record, flattened the central region with tsunami-like waves, leaving 7,350 people dead or missing.
Of the three people killed, two drowned due to storm-triggered flooding in Samar island’s Catarman town.
Melor brushed the Bicol peninsula – home to 5.4 million people – on the night of December 14 before slamming into the Romblon island the next morning.
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| A school has been used as an evacuation center in the city of Legaspi in Albay province, south of Manila as typhoon Melor approaches the city. (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Gusts weakened on December 15 morning but were still recorded at 170 kilometres per hour from 185 kilometres per hour a day earlier. The storm is forecast to continue to weaken further as it heads to Mindoro island and the East Sea later the same day.
No casualties have so far recorded in the Bicol region, where 720,000 people were evacuated last weekend.
The storm also forced the cancellation of 16 domestic flights on December 15, adding to the 56 flights cancelled previously, said the NDRRMC.
Meanwhile, another tropical storm is forming east of Mindanao, the country's main southern island.
An average of 20 typhoons hits the Philippines every year. In October, Typhoon Koppu carved through north Philippines, killing 54 people and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes.
In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, one of the strongest on record, flattened the central region with tsunami-like waves, leaving 7,350 people dead or missing.