Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


                    Typhoon Rammasun Kills 7 in Philippines

   by VOA News

   At least seven people have died as Typhoon Rammasun swept across the
   northern Philippines, bringing strong winds and heavy storm surges.

   On Wednesday the storm damaged roofs, brought down trees, and drenched
   residential areas of the capital, Manila, with wind gusts of up to 250
   kilometers per hour.

   Several people died when hit by falling trees or power poles, and at
   least three people died in Lucena city when a wall collapsed on them.

   Some people are missing, raising the likelihood that the death toll
   could rise.

   Thousands of residents in the northeastern Philippines evacuated their
   homes ahead of Rammasun, which is the country's first typhoon of the
   season.

   Authorities rushed to move tens of thousands of residents in flash
   flood and landslide-prone areas to evacuation centers.

   Dozens of domestic flights were canceled and schools closed. Shipping
   lanes were also shut down, stranding hundreds of ferry passengers in
   ports.

   Rammasun, which means "God of Thunder" in Thai, strengthened overnight
   Monday from a tropical storm to a typhoon.

   About 20 major storms hit the Philippines every year. Parts of the
   country are still recovering from last year's Typhoon Haiyan, which
   killed over 6,300 people with its tsunami-like sea surges.
     __________________________________________________________________

   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/typhoon-rammasun-kills-several-in-phi
   lippines/1958452.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/typhoon-rammasun-kills-several-in-philippines/1958452.html