Typhoon Xangsane Leaves 16 Dead And 12 Missing In Philippines
Jacob Cherian - All Headline News Staff Writer Manila, Philippines (AHN) - The strongest typhoon to ravage Manila since 1995, the Xangsane, has left 16 persons dead and 12 missing in the capital as well as its surrounding areas. The Office of Civil Defense says that the city is without power. The typhoon hit the city with winds as strong as 121 miles per hour on Thursday. It first blew across the island of Luzon, knocking out power lines and making floods. Financial markets, schools and government offices will stay shut until the debris can be cleared and utility companies can resume power. The commuter trains in Manila will also remain on their tracks due to power outages. Phone lines to Bicol, the region southeast of the capital, were down due to the destruction of 40 towers, said National Transmission Corp. President Arthur Aguilar. The word Xangsane means elephant in Laotian, and was the strongest typhoon to hit Manila in over a decade. In a Xangsane briefing, President Gloria Arroyo said this was the worst storm in more than 30 years. The Office of Civil Defense said that about 60, 000 persons had to flee their homes. Local media reports confirm that many of the deaths resulted from falling trees, billboards, collapsing walls, and floods: A fishing boat tipped over due to floods and one man was electrocuted. The storm is moving toward the city of Hue in Vietnam; it is moving west at 23 kilometers pe |
