Koppu hits north Philippines, destroys houses; 10,000 people displaced

Category four typhoon dumps heavy rain causing flooding, damages roads, bridges and topples power and communication lines

Residents carry their belongings up their house on stilts as strong winds and rains caused by Typhoon Koppu hit the coastal town of Navotas, north of Manila, Philippines, on Sunday. The powerful typhoon ploughed into the north-eastern Philippines before dawn on Sunday destroying homes and displacing 10,000 people and whipping up coastal surges four metres high, disaster agency officials said.

Powerful typhoon Koppu ploughed into the north-eastern Philippines before dawn on Sunday destroying homes and displacing 10,000 people and whipping up coastal surges four metres high, disaster agency officials said.

There were no reports of casualties after the category four typhoon, with central destructive winds of 175 kph (109 mph), made landfall around 1 a.m. (1700 GMT) near the town of Casiguran in Aurora province.

Koppu dumped heavy rain, causing flooding and damaging roads and bridges, and toppled power and communication lines.

No reports of casualty, as yet

“There are still no reports of casualty, thank God,” said Alexander Pama, executive director of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

“Initially, we are getting [reports that] many houses were destroyed, power lines toppled and trees blocking major roads,” he said, adding 10,000 people had been displaced in north-eastern Luzon, the country’s main island.

It will stay for 3 days

The weather bureau has said Koppu will remain over Luzon for three days due to a high pressure in the north and another typhoon in the northwest Pacific.

Casiguran town, which Koppu pounded, was isolated, local radio dzBB reported. “We expect some damages on public infrastructure and agriculture,” Norma Talosig, regional disaster agency head in rice-producing Cagayan Valley.

Power posts, trees hamper rescue

Junie Cua, governor of Quirino province, said toppled electric posts and trees were making it hard for emergency workers to reach isolated communities.

Authorities said 30 flights and ferry services in the north were grounded. Some buses suspended services due to threats of landslips in mountain areas.

On Friday, President Benigno Aquino appealed on television to people not to panic and to make preparations. The last time Mr. Aquino made a televised appeal was in 2013, the day before super typhoon Haiyan struck the central Philippines, killing more than 6,300 people and leaving millions homeless.

20 typhoons slam country annually

An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year.