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 7 Version 8
Storm spares Philippines capital Storm batters north Philippines
(about 14 hours later)
Typhoon Parma has begun bringing strong winds and heavy rain to northern parts of the storm-battered Philippines. Typhoon Parma has passed over the northern Philippines, killing at least four people and leaving a trail of destruction.
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 storm toppled power lines, tore off roofs and ripped up trees as it swept across the north-eastern tip of the main island of Luzon.
Earlier, President Gloria Arroyo declared a "state of calamity" and 33,000 people were told to leave homes. But it veered away from the capital, Manila, which is still recovering from severe flooding last week.
Hundreds died as Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam last week. Parma is now heading to Taiwan, where evacuation precautions are in place.
The latest storm, though, has taken a more northerly course, sparing the central areas worst hit by Ketsana, including Manila. In the Philippines, tens of thousands of residents were evacuated from their homes ahead of the storm, amid warnings of a potential disaster.
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. Officials say assessing the damage in northern regions will take time
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. But a change of course meant Typhoon Parma mainly hit the sparsely-populated mountainous northern region, rather than the flood-hit capital.
Parma was due to make landfall in Aurora province near the northern tip of the main island of Luzon. Winds of up to 175 kp/h (108 mph) and torrential downpours pelted the worst-hit areas, cut telephone and power lines and swelled rivers to bursting point, reports say.
Ships poised Officials in the Philippines said the true extent of the damage would not be known until communications were restored with the region later on Sunday.
Despite the improved forecast, officials in the Philippines warned those evacuated from their homes against returning too quickly. "The damage is quite heavy. We are clearing highways and roads to reach people calling for rescue," said Roberto Damian, police chief of Cagayan province.
Parts of the country are still flooded after Typhoon Ketsana The area around Manila is still recovering from Typhoon Ketsana, which triggered flooding that left nearly 300 people dead in the Philippines.
"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.
"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."
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.
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.
Typhoon Parma is now heading towards Taiwan, where an evacuation programme has been initiated in Kaohsiung county - the scene of hundreds of deaths in a typhoon in August.
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