MANILA: A typhoon killed at least 10 people as it churned across the Philippines and shut down the capital, cutting power and prompting the evacuation of almost more than 370,000 people, rescue officials said on Wednesday.
The eye of Typhoon Rammasun, the strongest storm to hit the country this year, passed south of Manila today after cutting a path across the main island of Luzon, toppling trees and power lines and causing electrocutions and widespread blackouts.
Government offices, financial markets and schools closed for the day.
Major roads across Luzon were blocked by debris, fallen trees, electricity poles and tin roofs ripped off village houses.
The storm uprooted trees in the capital where palm trees lining major arteries were bent over by the wind as broken hoardings bounced down the streets.
Richard Gordon, chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, said there was minimal damage in the capital but staff were trying to rescue people trapped by fallen debris in Batangas City to the south where two people were electrocuted.
“We have not received reports of major flooding in Metro Manila because the typhoon did not bring rain, but the winds were strong,” he said. (PTI)
