Alexander Pama

Wide areas of the central Philippines were plunged into darkness on Tuesday as powerful typhoon Melor barreled into the coconut-growing region, causing flooding, storm surges and forcing almost 800,000 people to evacuate their homes, officials said.

Authorities shut schools and suspended fishing and ferry services in the central Philippines today as a category 3 typhoon barrelled along the eastern seaboard, dumping heavy rains that could cause flooding and landslides.

Philippine authorities today warned that a powerful typhoon will likely linger over the country for almost three days, bringing prolonged heavy rain, possible floods and sparking storm surges.

Torrential monsoon rains killed at least eight people in the Philippines, the country's disaster relief agency said today, and the toll was expected to rise as two tropical storms battered northern Luzon, the main island in the archipelago.

Typhoon Noul crashed ashore on the northeastern tip of the Philippines on Sunday, as officials warned of landslides and called on residents along the coast to evacuate to safer ground.

The Philippines set to work clearing debris, reconnecting power and rebuilding flattened houses on Thursday after a typhoon swept across the country killing 38 people, with at least eight missing, rescue officials said.

Wide areas of the central Philippines were plunged into darkness on Tuesday as powerful typhoon Melor barreled into the coconut-growing region, causing flooding, storm surges and forcing almost 800,000 people to evacuate their homes, officials said.

Authorities shut schools and suspended fishing and ferry services in the central Philippines today as a category 3 typhoon barrelled along the eastern seaboard, dumping heavy rains that could cause flooding and landslides.

Philippine authorities today warned that a powerful typhoon will likely linger over the country for almost three days, bringing prolonged heavy rain, possible floods and sparking storm surges.

Torrential monsoon rains killed at least eight people in the Philippines, the country's disaster relief agency said today, and the toll was expected to rise as two tropical storms battered northern Luzon, the main island in the archipelago.

Typhoon Noul crashed ashore on the northeastern tip of the Philippines on Sunday, as officials warned of landslides and called on residents along the coast to evacuate to safer ground.

The Philippines set to work clearing debris, reconnecting power and rebuilding flattened houses on Thursday after a typhoon swept across the country killing 38 people, with at least eight missing, rescue officials said.