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Storm batters north Philippines Storm batters north Philippines
(1 day later)
Typhoon Parma has passed over the northern Philippines, killing at least four people and leaving a trail of destruction. Typhoon Parma has pounded the northern Philippines, killing at least 15 people and leaving a trail of destruction.
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. The storm toppled power lines, tore off roofs and ripped up trees as it swept across the islands' far north-east.
But it veered away from the capital, Manila, which is still recovering from severe flooding last week. But the capital, Manila, which is still recovering from severe flooding last week, was not affected.
Parma is now heading to Taiwan, where evacuation precautions are in place. Parma had been thought to be heading to Taiwan, but forecasters say it is now "interacting" with another typhoon and could return to the Philippines.
In the Philippines, tens of thousands of residents were evacuated from their homes ahead of the storm, amid warnings of a potential disaster. Philippines government forecaster Nathaniel Cruz said Parma was churning through the South China Sea. Reports say it is close enough to Taiwan to cause heavy rain.
Officials say assessing the damage in northern regions will take timeOfficials say assessing the damage in northern regions will take time
The typhoon could loop back and pass the northern area of [the main island of] Luzon for a second time, Mr Cruz said, quoted by AFP news agency.
Officials said another typhoon, Melor, was expected to enter Philippine waters from the east on Monday afternoon.
Tens of thousands of residents were evacuated from their homes ahead of Typhoon Parma, amid warnings of a potential disaster.
But a change of course meant Typhoon Parma mainly hit the sparsely-populated mountainous northern region, rather than the flood-hit capital.But a change of course meant Typhoon Parma mainly hit the sparsely-populated mountainous northern region, rather than the flood-hit capital.
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.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.
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. Twelve people were reported killed in landslides in the province of Benguet. Three deaths were reported in other regions.
"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."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.
The area around Manila is still recovering from Typhoon Ketsana, which triggered flooding that left nearly 300 people dead in the Philippines.The area around Manila is still recovering from Typhoon Ketsana, which triggered flooding that left nearly 300 people dead in the Philippines.
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.
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