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Fourth storm lashes Philippines Fourth storm lashes Philippines
(about 2 hours later)
The fourth storm to hit the Philippines in a month has lashed the eastern province of Quezon, bringing heavy rain and winds to the region. The fourth storm to hit the Philippines in a month has lashed the eastern coastal province of Quezon, bringing heavy rain and winds to the region.
Forecasters said Typhoon Mirinae was following the same route as September's storm, Ketsana, which dumped the heaviest rains in 40 years on Manila.Forecasters said Typhoon Mirinae was following the same route as September's storm, Ketsana, which dumped the heaviest rains in 40 years on Manila.
Mirinae is expected to hit the capital later on Saturday morning local time. Mirinae is expected to hit the capital later on Saturday morning.
Many parts of the country are still reeling after the worst storm-triggered flooding in decades. Many regions are still reeling after the worst storm-related floods in decades, which have left hundreds dead.
The typhoon was travelling at speeds of up to 93mph (150km/h). Since making landfall, Mirinae is moving across the Philippines at 24km/h (15mph) and is projected to move in the direction of Vietnam.
Flood risk 'Not as bad'
Civil defence spokesman Ernesto Torres said officials were preparing for the worst. Thousands of people were evacuated on Friday from their homes in Quezon province, where Typhoon Mirinae made landfall after midnight.
"Considering our land is already saturated with water, it may cause flooding in some areas. It is hard to tell if there will be floods, but we are preparing for the worst," he said. The reports from Manila are not as bad as had been expected Vanessa TobinUnicef class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8335150.stm">In pictures: Typhoon alert
The capital's 12 million residents and others who live in the path of the typhoon were told to prepare supplies to last 72 hours. At least 10,000 left their homes in areas near rivers and the active Mayon volcano in Albay province, which the authorities feared might unleash rivers of mud and loose volcanic rock.
Officials closed schools and grounded ferries and trucks loaded with relief supplies were sent to northern provinces in the storm's path. Officials also closed schools, and grounded ferries and trucks loaded with relief supplies were sent to northern areas in the storm's path.
Thousands were reported to be stranded on the main island, unable to return to their home provinces to visit the graves of dead family members, as is traditional on All Saints' Day in the mainly Catholic country. "Considering our land is already saturated with water, it may cause flooding in some areas. It is hard to tell if there will be floods, but we are preparing for the worst," Civil defence spokesman Ernesto Torres said on Friday.
More than 900 people have died in the multiple storms, including Typhoon Parma, which have battered the Philippines over the last month. Later, strong winds blew over trees and power lines, and slowed traffic on motorways in the coastal region.
There had been fears that the heavy rainfall would trigger deadly mudslides, but there have so far not been any reports of casualties or significant damage.
Typhoon Mirinae is projected to move in the direction of Vietnam
In Manila, residents were told to prepare supplies to last 72 hours and stay indoors ahead of the arrival of the storm.
Vanessa Tobin, the representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) in the Philippines, told the BBC that the rain had been very heavy in the capital early on Saturday, but that it had been replaced by strong winds.
"The reports from Manila are not as bad as had been expected," she said. "But we are getting reports from the South... - particularly around Bicol, which was hit in 2006 by mudslides - that there has been heavy rain and has been significant damage there," she added.
More than 900 people have been killed in the multiple storms, including Typhoon Parma, which have battered the Philippines over the last month.
More than 100,000 people remain in government-run evacuation centres and some communities in Manila remain flooded with residents using makeshift rafts to move around.More than 100,000 people remain in government-run evacuation centres and some communities in Manila remain flooded with residents using makeshift rafts to move around.