Typhoon Imbudo slams into northern Philippines

MANILA (AFP) Jul 22, 2003
Typhoon Imbudo hit the northern Philippines on Tuesday with peak sustained winds of 200 kilometers (nearly 120 miles) an hour, cutting off power and uprooting trees, rescuers and television reports said.

There were no immediate reports of casualties from the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year.

The government declared a holiday for some schools in Manila, where high winds and strong rain disrupted power supply.

Nearly 2,000 people were stranded at sea ports in southeastern Luzon and nearby central islands after their ships were barred from sailing.

At least two domestic flights have been cancelled.

Imbudo struck Palanan town on the east coast of the main Philippine island of Luzon at 10:00 am (0200 GMT) and was moving inland, the weather bureau said.

ABS-CBN television reported from the Palanan area that the typhoon uprooted trees and toppled power pylons.

The highest level of a four-stage storm alert has been raised over the provinces in the northernmost part of Luzon.

TERRA.WIRE