Typhoon "Kammuri"batters the Philippines

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2019-12-02
The Philippines
Flood, Storm

Typhoon "Kammuri", locally called Tisoy, unleashed its wrath across the Philippines, leaving a trail of destruction as the strongest typhoon to hit the nation in 2019. As of December 3, four fatalities have been reported, over 225 000 have been evacuated from Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon and Mimaropa. Many regions have been brutally battered by floods and strong winds.

According to weather bureau PAGASA's update on December 3 issued at 12:00 UTC, Kammuri maintains its strength as it moves westward over Mindoro strait. As of 11:00 UTC, the center was estimated at 145 km (90 miles) north of Coron, Palawan, moving west at 25 km/h (15 mph) packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h (81 mph) and gusts to 160 km/h (99 mph). Tropical Cyclone Signal #3 remains in several provinces in Luzon.

The violent typhoon made its first landfall in Sorsogon on December 2 at 15:00 UTC with winds of up to 209 km/h (130 mph), making it a Category 4 hurricane equivalent. The second landfall was in Masbate at 20:00 UTC, the third one in Marinduque at 20:30 UTC and the fourth on December 3 in Oriental Mindoro at 04:00 UTC.

As Kammuri lashed the affected areas, uprooted trees and fallen power towers can be seen everywhere, as well as ruined establishments and scattered debris. Albay's Legazpi airport, one of the major airports in the Bicol region, sustained severe damage along with SM City Legazpi.

Gubat disaster officer Luisito Mendoza said authorities were still assessing the damage in the town, but initial reports showed extensive devastation. "There is one place where water levels reached the roof. Our own personnel got hit by shattered glass," he said.

Four fatalities have been reported from different provinces. Two of them were in Oriental Mindoro-- the first victim was hit by a metal roof, while the second was hit by a fallen tree.

The third casualty was pinned down when branches fell in Zambales. The fourth one was electrocuted in Camarines Sur.

Source: The Watchers. Posted by Julie Celestial on December 3, 2019 at 15:25 UTC. Typhoon "Kammuri" leaves a trail of destruction, kills at least 10 people in the Philippines. https://watchers.news/2019/12/03/typhoon-kammuri-leaves-trail-of-destruction-kills-at-least-four-in-the-philippines/?fbclid=IwAR11pPD7q93AwjRxOa-R4hK-KGTj1-_bwZ0PcT--wwpZfZ6e25IMotDNzYE