Philippines - typhoon Parma

Another typhoon hits Philippines, kills at least 15

Article published on the 2009-10-04 Latest update 2009-10-04 09:48 TU

Destruction in the wake of Typhoon Parma in Cagayan, northern Philippines, 3 October 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

At least 15 people have died in the Philippines after Typhoon Parma hit the north of Luzon Island Saturday, a week after typhoon Ketsana dumped heavy rains on Manila and killed over 300 people. While the storm was not as strong as feared, meteorologists say it might not be over.

"It is possible that it will make U-turn and will hit Luzon again," said forecaster Nathaniel Cruz said, because another typhoon, Melor, in the Pacific Ocean, some 2,000 kilometres to the east, may keep Parma from moving out to sea, sucking it back to the Philippines

Twelve people died in two landslides Saturday, which buried homes in Benguet province, according to provincial police director Chief Superintendent Loreto Espinili.

Three other deaths were reported by authorities elsewhere.

But there were not as many causalities as feared, as the storm was not as strong as expected, and authorities had prepared by evacuating about 170,000 people from northern Cagayan province before the storm hit there on Saturday.

President Gloria Arroyo had declared the country a state of calamity in anticipation.

There has been extensive damage throughout the north of the country though, with large areas left without power. Roads are flooded and cut off by fallen trees and power lines.

Agriculture has taken a hit, with rice fields under water.

"The rains heavily damaged our rice fields," said the governor of the northern Aurora province, Bellaflor Angara, on local radio. "We are trying to bring back everything to normal, but that will take time."

The agriculture department said Parma and Ketsana have caused at least 5.5 billion pesos (80 billion euros) in damage, particularly to rice harvests.

Many areas eastern provinces and areas of Manila remain flooded. Nearly 400,000 people are still in evacuation centres across the city.

Strong winds continue to batter northern provinces as Parma is moving away from the country. Metorologists in Taiwan predict the storm will circle the Bashi Channel, between the Philippines and Taiwan.

Taiwanese authorities have evacuated over 1,800 people - some forcibly - from remote mountain areas in the southern Hengchun region.