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Philippines braced for new storm Philippines braces for new storm
(about 15 hours later)
People in the Philippines are braced for a new storm, days after Typhoon Ketsana left more than 270 dead there. The Philippines has ordered the evacuation of thousands of people from areas in the path of a second powerful typhoon to hit the country in a week.
Officials warned that Typhoon Parma, which could hit the Philippines on Saturday, might be even more powerful. Typhoon Parma is expected to hit the main island of Luzon north of the capital Manila early on Saturday.
Soldiers and rescue workers were put on alert and evacuation plans were prepared in areas already struggling to recover from storm damage. Officials fear a second disaster after Typhoon Ketsana caused the worst floods in the Philippines in decades.
The overall death toll for Typhoon Ketsana across the region has risen to more than 380. Ketsana caused nearly 300 deaths in the Philippines, as well as more than 100 in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
The storm left at least 277 people dead in the Philippines. Parts of the Philippines near Manila remain flooded after Ketsana dropped a month's worth of rain in 12 hours last Saturday.
At least 92 were killed in Vietnam - most of them because of floodwaters or landslides - while 14 died in Cambodia. 'Strongest typhoon'
Another 10 people were reported to be missing in Laos. President Gloria Arroyo appeared on national television to order the evacuation of low-lying coastal areas threatened by the new typhoon.
Stockpiles "We need that preventative evacuation," she said.
Aid workers warned that Typhoon Parma, which is directed towards the coast in Luzon island north of where Ketsana hit, could hamper relief efforts already under way. The military and police have been put on alert and civilian agencies have been ordered to stockpile food, water and medicine.
Some parts of Vietnam are still knee-deep in water
The Philippine weather bureau said Parma, with winds of up to 230km/h (140mph), would be the strongest typhoon to hit the country since 2006.
Nathaniel Cruz, the head weather forecaster in the Philippines, said Parma could yet change direction and miss the country, adding that it was carrying less rain than Ketsana.Nathaniel Cruz, the head weather forecaster in the Philippines, said Parma could yet change direction and miss the country, adding that it was carrying less rain than Ketsana.
But he said it could strengthen into a super-typhoon, with winds exceeding 124mph (200km/h), and that these could be highly destructive. But he said its strong winds could be highly destructive.
"We are dealing with a very strong typhoon [and] there is a big possibility that this typhoon will gather more strength," Mr Cruz said."We are dealing with a very strong typhoon [and] there is a big possibility that this typhoon will gather more strength," Mr Cruz said.
Officials were reported to be preparing plans for the compulsory evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. There are also fears that more heavy rain could worsen flooding left from the earlier typhoon.
Gilberto Teodoro, the head of the defence and disaster agencies, said some vulnerable areas were already being evacuated and civilian agencies had been ordered to stockpile supplies. "We're concerned about the effects of more rain on the relief work in flooded areas because the water level could rise again," said Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro.
Meanwhile, authorities in Vietnam delivered food and water by speed boat and helicopter to isolated communities affected by Ketsana. Thousands homeless
Some villages in Vietnam and Cambodia remained cut off by mudslides and flooding. Ketsana, with winds of up to 100km/h (60mph), hit the Philippines early last Saturday, crossing the main northern island of Luzon before heading out toward the South China Sea.
Ketsana, with winds of up to 100km/h (60mph), hit the Philippines early on Saturday, crossing the main northern Luzon island before heading out toward the South China Sea.
Almost two million people were affected by the flooding in Manila, the worst to hit the city in 40 years. At one point, 80% of the city was submerged.Almost two million people were affected by the flooding in Manila, the worst to hit the city in 40 years. At one point, 80% of the city was submerged.
Tens of thousands of people were left homeless.
Ketsana went on to hit the mainland of South-East Asia where it is now confirmed to have killed 99 people in Vietnam, 16 in Laos and 14 in Cambodia.
Most of the people have died in flooding or landslides caused by the sudden, heavy rain.
Authorities in Vietnam have been delivering food and water by speed boat and helicopter to isolated communities affected by Ketsana.
Some villages in Vietnam and Cambodia remained cut off by mudslides and flooding.