Manila: A devastating typhoon hit the eastern part of the Philippines on Sunday, killing at least seven people and damaging several homes. The wind speed was very strong during the storm. After this, it weakened and moved towards the capital Manila. Officials informed about it. Manila’s main airport was closed in the wake of the storm, officials said. Hurricane Goni reached the island province of Catanduanes this morning.
During this time the wind speed was 225 kilometers per hour and the gust of wind reached 280 kilometers per hour. The storm later moved to the densely populated west and rain-affected provinces, including Manali, where a hurricane struck a week ago, killing 22 people.
Governor Al Francis Bichara said at least four people, including a father and son, were killed in the worst-hit province of Alba. The Civil Defense Office said three other villagers were killed in Alba. One of them died due to being crushed under a tree.
The meteorological department said that Goni weakened during the night and the wind speed reached 165 kmph while the maximum speed of its gusto reached 230 kmph though it is still dangerous. Disaster officer Ricardo Jalad said that about one million people have reached safe places.
The Meteorological Department estimates that the storm could pass through the capital Manila at a speed of 70 kilometers per hour at night. Manila’s main airport has been ordered closed for 24 hours between Sunday and Monday, and airlines have canceled dozens of international and domestic flights, officials said. He said that military and national police and coast guard forces have been kept on alert.
