UPDATED ON:
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
01:44 Mecca time, 22:44 GMT
 
News Asia-Pacific
Tropical storm lashes Philippines
Many areas remained without power after the storm's powerful winds toppled electrical posts [AFP]
A tropical storm has hit the northern Philippines, killing at least 12 people, flooding rice paddies and causing extensive damage.
 
More than 5,500 homes were left damaged as the storm swirled back out to sea on Monday while the government called in the military to help evacuate residents from coastal areas.
The National Disaster Co-ordinating Council (NDCC) said half of those killed were pinned down by fallen trees or hit by flying debris as the storm hit northeastern provinces Pangasinan, La Union and Zambales.
 
The storm is expected to head towards southern Japan early on Tuesday.
Around 35,000 people were affected by the storm and some areas lost electricity after its strong winds toppled electric posts and tripped power lines.
 
Homes swamped
 
Amado Espino, the governor of Pangasinan, said: "It would take at least a month to restore 100 per cent power in my province."
 
He said about $3.7 million worth of crops such as rice and vegetables were destroyed by floods and hundreds of houses were damaged by strong winds.
 
In nearby Zambales province, troops were sent to help evacuate hundreds of people from coastal villages after huge waves swept away dozens of houses.
 
Landslides and floods are common in the Philippines, which faces about 20 typhoons each year.
 
About 1,200 people were killed when flash floods rampaged through low-lying areas in Legaspi City in the east in 2006.
 Source: Agencies
 
ARTICLE TOOLS
 Email Article  Email article
 Print Article  Print article
 Send Feedback  Send feedback
 Share article  Share article