Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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Typhoon Hits Philippines

by VOA News

   The Philippines is being slammed by Typhoon Sarika.
   The heavy rains and strong winds of the storm bore down on the main
   Philippine island of Luzon early Sunday, forcing more than 12,000
   people to evacuate their homes.The heavy rainfall has caused minor
   landslides and has damaged crops.
   Weather forecasters say Sarika has sustained maximum winds of 130
   kilometers per hour.
   Weather officials say Sarika is moving toward the South China Sea, but
   not before causing power outages and wind damage.
   The storm has forced the cancellation of more than 100 domestic and
   international flights and has stranded thousands of passengers.

   Some material for this report came from AP, AFP and Reuters.