Thaindian News

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (BNO NEWS) — At least 11 people have died after super typhoon Megi made landfall on Monday in the Philippines, but it is expected to exit the country on Wednesday, local media reported Tuesday.

On Monday, Megi made landfall on the northern Philippine island of Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 225 kilometers (140 miles) per hour, killing one person. By Tuesday, however, it had killed another 10 people. Areas in Manila were hit by flash floods, causing extensive damage.

As of 4 p.m. local time on Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Megi had maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers (109 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 210 kilometers (130 miles) per hour.

The center of Megi was located about 230 kilometers (143 miles) west-northwest of Dagupan City, a city in Pangasinan province.

“Typhoon Juan, the strongest storm that the world has experienced this year, is moving away from the Philippine area of responsibility, leaving in its wake significant damage but a minimal loss of life. The work of bringing life back to normal in the soonest possible time is already underway,” President Benigno Aquino said, stating he was “very pleased” with his government’s response to the crisis.

The Philippine Navy (PN) on Tuesday announced that it was shifting from disaster response, rescue and recovery operations to road clearing operations and relief operations as typhoon “Juan” leaves the Philippines.

Twenty-three PN Disaster Response and Rescue Teams (DRRT), with an aggregated composition of 250 regular and 200 reservists, were deployed in the affected areas of Laoag City in Ilocos Norte, Vigan, Narvacan and Candon City in Ilocos Sur, San Fernando, Bonuan, and Naguillan in La union. Five Navy vessels and an aircraft were also placed on standby for this operation.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas, Jr. said he had instructed the Embassy to authorize disaster relief assistance.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all Filipinos during this difficult time. I’m heartened and impressed by the effective measures taken by the people and the Government of the Philippines to meet the threat posed by the storm,” he said

“At the request of the Government of the Philippines, some U.S. troops and equipment currently in the Philippines for the annual CARAT and PHIBLEX exercises, along with aircraft and personnel from the Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, both here under the Visiting Forces Agreement, have been diverted for use by Philippine counterparts to conduct assessments of the areas impacted by Typhoon Juan. Additional assistance will be determined based on the results of these initial assessments,” the Embassy said.

According to PAGASA, Megi, the 13th typhoon of the year, should be exiting the country on Wednesday.