Wednesday November 29, 2006
Typhoon Durian intensifies, storm signals raised over eastern Philippines
MANILA, Philippines (AP) - Typhoon Durian, packing winds of up 150 kilometers (73 miles) per hour, headed toward the eastern Philippines on Wednesday where residents braced for possible floods and landslides.
The fourth typhoon to hit the northeastern Philippines in as many months, Durian was expected to intensify further before passing close to Catanduanes island and slamming ashore over Aurora province on Friday, forecasters said.
The Philippine weather bureau warned that the dangerous cyclone _ named after the pungent fruit native to Southeast Asia _ could become a "super typhoon'' with winds stronger than 200 kph (125 mph) and could reach metropolitan Manila.
"For the next day or two, it will continue to strengthen and could reach a super typhoon category,'' said forecaster Nathaniel Cruz.
He said the central Bicol region, about 300 kilometers (185 miles) southeast of Manila, was already feeling the effects of the typhoon with rains and winds.
Cruz warned residents in low-lying and coastal areas to watch out for storm surges, or big waves generated by strong winds.
In late September, Typhoon Xangsane left 230 people dead and missing in and around Manila. Typhoon Cimaron killed 19 people and injured 58 others late last month, and earlier this month, Chebi sliced through the central Luzon region, killing one.
About 20 typhoons and tropical storms lash the Philippines each year.
Mayor Noel Rosal of Legazpi city in northeastern Albay province, one of the areas ravaged by the previous typhoons, said disaster response agencies were working overtime to prepare for possible emergencies.
"Electric power hasn't even been restored to some villages. But now that the threat is here, we have no choice but to prepare,'' Rosal told Manila Radio DZRH.
In central Sorsogon province, Mayor Guillermo So said the coast guard barred ferries from leaving ports to prevent accidents. - AP
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