Typhoon Ursula wreaks havoc in Philippines; 28 reported to be killed

Manila, December 27: The number of people confirmed dead since Typhoon Phanfone (Typhoon Ursula) hit the Philippines on Christmas Eve has risen to 28, as thousands of people affected by the storm remain in temporary evacuation shelters, authorities said Friday.

 

 

 

Phanfone, known locally as Typhoon Ursula, first made landfall on Eastern Samar province on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and storm surges. It hit as the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane, packing sustained wind speeds of 150 kmph, with gusts of 195 kmph.

 

In addition to the 28 deaths, 12 people remain missing and two injured, according to the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Iloilo City on Panay Island in the Western Visayas has the highest number of casualties, with 13 people dead, the agency said.

 

More than 185,000 people have been affected by the typhoon with over 43,000 taking refuge in evacuation centers, the NDRRMC said Friday. The agency said 147 cities and municipalities experienced power outages, and by Friday, 31 of those had power restored.

 

 

 

Phanfone swept west across the islands of the Eastern Visayas region, southern Luzon and Western Visayas on Wednesday, toppling electricity pylons and trees, tearing off roofs, damaging more than 2,000 homes and causing widespread travel disruption over the busy Christmas period.

 

Some tourist areas, including the popular resort island of Boracay, were also damaged on Wednesday. The nearby Kalibo International Airport was temporarily closed and flights canceled after the typhoon damaged the roof of the terminal building, according to an advisory from Philippine Airlines.