Manila [Philippines], September 23: Super Typhoon Ragasa slammed into the northern Philippines on Monday, bringing torrential rain and powerful winds that ripped off rooftops, toppled trees and electric posts, and triggered storm surges along some coastal areas.
More than 10,000 people evacuated their homes ahead of Ragasa's landfall over Panuitan Island, part of the Babuyan Islands in the northern province of Cagayan, the Department of Interior and Local Government said.
"Strong winds and heavy rains have been battering the province since midnight last night," said Rueli Rapsing, chief of the provincial disaster agency in Cagayan. "Power has been cut off in the coastal communities since the morning." Storm surges struck the coastal towns of Santa Ana and Aparri, causing flash floods that inundated homes. Some boats were damaged as surging waters pushed them against piers, while two bridges in Baggao municipality became impassable after a river overflowed, according to local media reports.
In Benguet province, landslides, rockfalls, fallen trees, and toppled power lines temporarily closed a highway and another key road leading into the province.
Julius Santos, an officer at the city disaster agency in Baguio City, said at least three vehicles were hit by landslides and rockfalls on Marcos Highway in Tuba town. At least two people were injured and were rushed to a hospital, he added.
The Philippine weather bureau said Ragasa, locally called Nando, carried maximum sustained winds of 215 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts up to 295 kph, moving at 25 kph across the Philippines. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune
