Another Typhoon Slams the Philippines
Pastor Dale Morgan
Dec 9, 7:42 PM EST
*Another Typhoon Slams the Philippines*
By OLIVER TEVES
Associated Press Writer
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Thousands of people in an area devastated by
a powerful typhoon last week in the eastern Philippines were told to
evacuate Saturday after another storm slammed into the central part of
the country.
Typhoon Utor, packing sustained winds of 75 miles per hour, made
landfall in the town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar province at noon.
The new typhoon's path was just south of the eastern Bicol region where
more than 1,000 people were killed or left missing after Typhoon Durian
struck last week.
Fernando Gonzales, governor of the worst-hit province of Albay, said
about 15,000 people from a dozen villages were ordered evacuated to
temporary shelters in government buildings, schools and churches until
the storm passed.
"What we are trying to avoid here is people getting trapped," he said.
Utor's track indicated it could hit the popular island resort of Boracay
before blowing farther west toward the South China Sea. Forecasters
warned there could be storm surges or big waves that could hit the island.
The coast guard halted 43 ferry services in the areas affected by the
typhoon, stranding more than 2,000 passengers.
Typhoon Utor also prompted the postponement of next week's Association
of Southeast Asian Nations and the East Asia summits in central Cebu
city and nearby Mactan island, Philippine organizers said.
The National Disaster Coordinating Council in Manila said more than
100,000 people already were at evacuation centers following last week's
typhoon.
Durian unleashed tons of rocks and other volcanic debris from the slopes
of the Mayon volcano, sending walls of mud and boulders on helpless
villages.
Many residents whose houses were destroyed or covered in debris have
returned to salvage personal belongings, sometimes sleeping in makeshift
tents or huts.
In Cebu, Thai Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsongkram said his government
donated 1,000 sacks of rice for the typhoon victims.
Japan on Saturday said it will offer aid of up to $1 million to mudslide
victims. The pledge comes on top of $172,000 Japan has already promised
in emergency supplies including tents, blankets and other emergency
goods for survivors.