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Typhoon bears down on Philippines Storm spares Philippines capital
(about 5 hours later)
Typhoon Parma is due to make landfall in the storm-battered Philippines in the next few hours. Typhoon Parma has begun bringing strong winds and heavy rain to northern parts of the storm-battered Philippines.
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. However, it weakened and changed course as it neared and most of the country - including the flood-hit capital, Manila - is expected to escape major disaster.
The US Navy says it has two ships in Manila Bay ready to help if needed. Earlier, President Gloria Arroyo declared a "state of calamity" and 33,000 people were told to leave homes.
Many South East Asian nations are still reeling from Typhoon Ketsana, which killed hundreds in the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam last week. Hundreds died as Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam last week.
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 latest storm, though, has taken a more northerly course, sparing the central areas worst hit by Ketsana, including Manila.
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. Power lines and trees in the far north were toppled, the Associated Press reported, by winds measured at 175kph (108mph) - down from its earlier force of 230km/h (140mph), but still capable of inflicting major damage.
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. While Manila, still struggling to recover from severe and widespread flooding, is expected to be spared, areas of Luzon province and the far northern region of Cagayan were expected to see significant rainfall.
"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. Parma was due to make landfall in Aurora province near the northern tip of the main island of Luzon.
Ships poised
Despite the improved forecast, officials in the Philippines warned those evacuated from their homes against returning too quickly.
Parts of the country are still flooded after Typhoon Ketsana
"I urge the refugees intending to go back to their homes to please remain in our evacuation centres for the meantime, because we cannot predict with 100% accuracy what will happen in Manila during the storm," said Defence Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
"We are concerned about the effects of more rain on the relief work in flooded areas because the water level could rise again," he said.
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.
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