At least 10 people have died and several others injured and missing, as Typhoon Goni, the worst typhoon in years wrecked the Philippines. More than 300 houses were buried under volcanic rocks and mud flows from Mayon Volcano in severely hit Albay province in the Bicol region. Storm surges hit some coastal towns, while rivers overflowed and dikes were destroyed, submerging several villages in Bicol.
Goni was downgraded from a “super typhoon” as it swept across the southern end of the most populous island Luzon towards the capital Manila, the state weather forecaster said in its latest update. “Catastrophic violent winds and intense to torrential rainfall would hammer areas in the typhoon’s path, including provinces near the capital”, it warned.
Nearly a million people have been moved to emergency shelters as a precautionary measure. The typhoon has already caused flooding in low-lying areas of Albay and Camarines Sur, especially areas with poor drainage systems. The typhoon forced the authorities to shut the international airport in Manila for 24 hours. The Philippine Coast Guard has imposed a “no sailing policy” leaving thousands of boats stranded at ports.
Goni evoked memories of Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013 that left more than 7,300 people dead and missing, entire flattened villages, swept ships inland, and displaced more than five million in Central Philippines.