This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8285721.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Typhoon bears down on Philippines Typhoon bears down on Philippines
(about 1 hour later)
Typhoon Parma is due to make landfall in the storm-battered Philippines in the next few hours.Typhoon Parma is due to make landfall in the storm-battered Philippines in the next few hours.
President Gloria Arroyo has declared a national "state of calamity" and 33,000 people have been ordered to leave homes in the storm's predicted path.President Gloria Arroyo has declared a national "state of calamity" and 33,000 people have been ordered to leave homes in the storm's predicted path.
The US Navy says it has two ships in Manila Bay ready to help if needed.The US Navy says it has two ships in Manila Bay ready to help if needed.
Many South East Asian nations are still reeling from Typhoon Ketsana, which killed hundreds in the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam last week.Many South East Asian nations are still reeling from Typhoon Ketsana, which killed hundreds in the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam last week.
Forecasters said Parma was about 150km (93 miles) east of the northern Luzon island on Saturday morning and was gaining strength as it bore down on the coast. Early on Saturday, Parma altered course slightly and was due to make landfall in Aurora province near the northern tip of the main island of Luzon later in the day.
The Philippine weather bureau said the storm, with winds of up to 230km/h (140mph), would be the strongest typhoon to hit the country since 2006. Officials said it had sustained winds of 175km/h (109mph) - down from its earlier force of 230km/h (140mph), but still capable of inflicting major damage.
It is expected to make landfall in or near the mountainous north-east province of Isabela later in the day. It is now expected to hit less populous regions, but it may still impact on areas around the capital, Manila, still recovering from last week's severe flooding.
Parma is expected to make life worse in regions still recovering from recent severe flooding.
"We are concerned about the effects of more rain on the relief work in flooded areas because the water level could rise again," Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on national television."We are concerned about the effects of more rain on the relief work in flooded areas because the water level could rise again," Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said on national television.
US Navy Admiral Timothy Keating said two ships were off the coast of Manila carrying full medical facilities and hundreds of marines who were ready to go wherever needed.US Navy Admiral Timothy Keating said two ships were off the coast of Manila carrying full medical facilities and hundreds of marines who were ready to go wherever needed.
"The weather forecast is pretty grim for the north part of Luzon," he said."The weather forecast is pretty grim for the north part of Luzon," he said.
"We think the threat to downtown Manila is lower than it is to the north part of Luzon.""We think the threat to downtown Manila is lower than it is to the north part of Luzon."
Typhoon Ketsana caused nearly 300 deaths in the Philippines, as well as more than 100 in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.Typhoon Ketsana caused nearly 300 deaths in the Philippines, as well as more than 100 in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Parts of the Philippines near Manila remain flooded after Ketsana dropped a month's worth of rain in 12 hours last Saturday.Parts of the Philippines near Manila remain flooded after Ketsana dropped a month's worth of rain in 12 hours last Saturday.
Hundreds of thousands remain homeless in and around Manila in the wake of the storm.Hundreds of thousands remain homeless in and around Manila in the wake of the storm.
Do you live in areas in the path of Typhoon Parma? Are you going to evacuate? Send us your comments using the form below.Do you live in areas in the path of Typhoon Parma? Are you going to evacuate? Send us your comments using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions