Philippines: Typhoon Utor leaves at least 23 missing

Manila, Aug 12: As the northern

was battered by dangerous and strong Typhoon Utor, at least 23 people were reported to be

by their families in four towns in Catanduanes province, on Monday.

According to reports, at least 23 fishermen were missing and more than 8,000 passengers were stranded as authorities suspended inter-island ferry services and warned people to brace for possible flash floods and landslides.

Although, no casualties have been reported so far.

TV footages showed devastated visuals of uprooted trees, fallen lamposts and tangled power lines to several flattened houses.

Amid the stormy weather, several domestic flights were cancelled. With more rains expected, schools in and around Manila have been closed.

On Monday, Utor crossed Luzon Island, dumping heavy rain and causing wind damage in some areas.

The national disaster agency said that around 1,000 residents in the central Bicol region spent the night in shelters while Aurora province was without power.

According to an agency report, Utor is expected to move out of the Philippines by late Monday but it will continue to move across the South China Sea, and track towards southeast China, with a second landfall expected at midweek.

Out of twenty storms, Utor is the twelfth tropical cyclone and it is said to be the the strongest typhoon to lash Philippines this year.

Hundreds of people die each year in the Philippines from deadly typhoons that strike the country annually.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong Observatory said it may consider raising the No 1 typhoon warning signal later in the day.

OneIndia News

(With Agency inputs)