By Xinhua,
Manila : Thousands of Filipinos were evacuated and several power posts were toppled in northern Philippines after tropical storm “Halong” hit the country Saturday night, reported local television network ABS-CBN News Sunday.
At least one person was killed in the storm which also destroyed many houses and brought heavy downpours in Pangasinan province, northern Philippines, said the report.
“Halong”, locally known as “Cosme”, slightly changed its route Saturday and landed in Panganisan instead of Ilocos Sur as previously forecast. Many infrastructures were also damaged and power posts were knocked down, leaving several towns of Pangasinan without electricity since Saturday night.
Some cars were stranded on the road as some national and provincial roads were declared impassable due to fallen trees and landslides, said the report.
After clearing operations, officials in charge of disaster relief efforts would begin rescue and relief operations to affected towns. Some towns have declared a state of calamity and are appealing for medical assistance, said the report.
In Zambales south of Pangasinan, thousands were evacuated by the Red Cross due to a storm surge in coastal areas, while several areas in Pampanga province south of Zambales were flooded due to heavy rains brought about by “Halong”.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council said the heavy rains which accompanied “Halong” brought flooding and landslides to Western Visayas, central Philippines, affecting more than 1,000 families or at least 5,000 people.
In the central Iloilo City, authorities have declared a state of calamity due to floods, while in Batangas in southern Luzon near Metro Manila, the Philippine Coast Guard suspended boat trips because of high waves.
Local weather reports said “Halong” is weakening while traversing the mountainous terrain of northern Luzon in an east-ward direction.
Authorities have raised public storm warning signals over Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Group of Islands and Isabela where “Halong” is expected to pass.
The storm is expected to leave the Philippines Sunday night or Monday morning and move toward Okinawa, Japan, according to local weather reports.