Typhoon kills three in Philippines, hundreds of flights halted
Residents stand among their damaged houses after Typhoon Kammuri hit Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines, December 2, 2019. REUTERS/Nino Luces
MANILA (Reuters) - A typhoon struck the Philippines on Tuesday, killing at least three people, disrupting air travel and forcing government offices and schools to shut.
Authorities evacuated some 225,000 people ahead of the arrival overnight of Typhoon Kammuri, known locally as Tisoy. Officials said their precautions prevented greater loss of life,
while warnings of floods, storm surges and landslides were issued in the wake of the country's 20th typhoon of the year.
Residents repair their damaged houses after Typhoon Kammuri hit Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines, December 2, 2019. REUTERS/Nino Luces
"We've seen great improvement in local government management of preparations for disasters," disaster agency spokesman Mark Timbal told news channel ANC.
Winds gusting up to 200 kph (124 mph) damaged homes and structures and tore down trees and signage as it barreled through central islands south of the capital, as it moved across the archipelago toward the South China Sea.
A man died after being electrocuted while attempting to fix his roof in Camarines Sur province, according to a civil defense official. Two people who ignored a mandatory evacuation were killed in Oriental Mindoro, one hit by a falling tree and the other by a sheet of metal roofing material.
A man walks on the flooded entrance of the Rizal Memorial Stadium, one of the venues for Southeast Asian Games 2019, after Typhoon Kammuri hit Metro Manila, Philippines, December 3, 2019. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez
"It could have been more if we did not have pre-emptive evacuation," Humerlito Dolor, governor of Oriental Mindoro province, told DZMM radio.
(GRAPHIC - Path of Typhoon Kammuri: https://graphics.reuters.com/ASIA-STORM-PHILIPPINES/0100B33B2B5/philippines-typhoon.jpg)
A view of a devastated area after Typhoon Kammuri hit Camalig town, Philippines, December 3, 2019. REUTERS/Nino Luces
Some 499 flights were postponed and 100,000 people impacted by a precautionary closure of Manila's main airport for 12 hours until 11:00 p.m. Tuesday (1500 GMT). Flights continued in unaffected areas of the country.
Pictures posted on social media showed waves crashing against bulwarks, panels flying off roofs, and fallen trees.
Residents stand among their destroyed houses after Typhoon Kammuri hit Sorsogon Province in Philippines, December 3, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. Jinky A–onuevo Sesbre–o via REUTERS
Authorities warned of storm surges of up to three meters and possible floods and landslides ahead after heavy winds and rain. Commercial sea travel was halted.
Government offices and schools in Manila were closed and utilities firms warned of power outages.
Worst hit was the airport in Legazpi City, which suffered structural damage, with television showing cables, lighting and panels hanging from the ceiling over the departure areas.
Residents stand among their destroyed houses after Typhoon Kammuri hit Sorsogon Province in Philippines, December 3, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. Jinky A–onuevo Sesbre–o via REUTERS
The Philippines is hosting the Southeast Asian Games until Dec. 11 and organizers postponed several events until later in the competition, among them surfing, kayak, windsurfing, polo, sailing, skateboarding and canoeing.
(Reporting by Martin Petty and Karen Lema and Neil Jerome Morales; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
A carousel is seen in a flooded amusement area at the Embaracadero De Legazpi (Waterfront Mall) in Legazpi City, Albay, Philippines December 2, 2019, in this still image obtained from a social media video. Courtesy of Marjorie Marzan Manipon/Social Media via REUTERSA man walks on the flooded entrance of the Rizal Memorial Stadium, one of the venues for Southeast Asian Games 2019, after Typhoon Kammuri hit Metro Manila, Philippines, December 3, 2019. REUTERS/Eloisa LopezTrees sway near buildings as Typhoon Kammuri, known locally as Typhoon Tisoy, makes landfall in Gamay, Northern Samar, Philippines, December 2, 2019, in this still image from video obtained via social media. Gladys Castillo Vidal via REUTERS A view of debris and destroyed houses is seen after Typhoon Kammuri hit the province of Sorsogon, in Philippines, December 3, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. Jinky Anonuevo Sesbreno via REUTERS Residents stand among their destroyed houses after Typhoon Kammuri hit Sorsogon Province in Philippines, December 3, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. Jinky A–onuevo Sesbre–o via REUTERS Residents stand among their destroyed houses after Typhoon Kammuri hit Sorsogon Province in Philippines, December 3, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. Jinky A–onuevo Sesbre–o via REUTERS Residents stand among their destroyed houses after Typhoon Kammuri hit Sorsogon Province in Philippines, December 3, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. Jinky A–onuevo Sesbre–o via REUTERS People walk as Typhoon Kammuri, known locally as Typhoon Tisoy, makes landfall in Gamay, Northern Samar, Philippines, December 2, 2019, in this still image from video obtained via social media. Gladys Castillo Vidal via REUTERS
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