Typhoon threatens

Manila: Philippine authorities yesterday ordered thousands of residents in eastern coastal communities to evacuate before the landfall of Typhoon Vamco, only weeks after the country was battered by Typhoon Goni.

Vamco, which carries sustained winds of 125kmh and gusts of up to 155kmh, is the 21st tropical storm to hit the Philippines this year.

The island province of Catanduanes and nearby Albay, both southeast of the capital Manila, bore the brunt of Typhoon Goni in late October. The category 5 typhoon killed 25 people.

Vamco was due to make landfall in Polilio Island overnight, bringing a storm surge of up to 3m. — Reuters