At least 10 people have died and some crops have been ruined in the Philippines by typhoon Megi which has cleared the Philippines' main island and is now headed towards China.
Megi, known locally as Juan, was a category 5 super typhoon with winds in excess of 250 kph (155 mph) when it slammed into the northeastern Luzon, the country's main island, shortly before midday yesterday.
The national disaster agency put the death toll so far at 10, a low tally for such a strong typhoon in the country. Fuller assessments of the damage are expected today, although the typhoon had cut power and communications in many areas.
The government appeared to have prepared for the storm, evacuating some 7,000 people and sending trucks and other vehicles to help with rescue and relief operations.
In July, a typhoon killed 102 people after it unexpectedly changed direction and sliced through Manila, cutting power across the city of 12 million people. That storm prompted President Benigno Aquino to sack the chief weather forecaster.
After clearing the Philippines, Megi is expected to regain some strength over the South China Sea. Tropical Storm Risk's (http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com) projections show the storm is expected to turn away from Vietnam towards China, with the centre passing between Hainan island and Hong Kong.
China's National Meteorological Center warned yesterday Megi may be the worst to hit the country this year, and urged local governments to make full preparations for extreme weather.
Some 140,000 people have been evacuated from 15 cities on Hainan island since heavy rains reached the province on Friday, the official Xinhua News Agency reported yesterday.
Reuters