Storm Caloy leaves 35 dead;
42,000 people abandon homes

At least 35 people were reported killed as tropical storm “Caloy" (international code name: “Chanchu") left the Philippines Saturday night. About 42,000 people were affected in southern Luzon and Visayas regions. The storm downed 77 power circuits in Metro Manila. “Caloy" was over the South China Sea Sunday morning but rains and strong winds continued to affect parts of southern Luzon and the central Visayas. At 11 a.m. Sunday, the weather bureau reported that "Caloy" has intensified into a typhoon while over the South China Sea and moving away from the Philippines. It was estimated based from satellite and surface data at 280 km west southwest of Metro Manila with maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 140 kph. It is forecast to move west northwest at 11 kph. Over 30 people were killed and more than 42,000 left their homes as the heavy rains triggered landslides and flooding in the southern Tagalog, Bicol, Central Visayas and Eastern Visayas regions. The government estimated damage to agricultural land and infrastructure in southern Tagalog alone to exceed P19 million. The Philippine Coast Guard reported that 25 people drowned while three others were missing when the motorized outrigger M/B Mae Ann 5 sank off Masbate port at 2:30 a.m. Friday. Eighteen people survived the incident. Ten other people were reported killed in other parts of the country. They either drowned, were crushed by falling trees or walls, or were electrocuted. More than a dozen persons were missing. - GMANews.TV with reports from Inq7.net