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Evacuations under way as typhoon nears
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filipino globe online edition
Officials order mandatory removal of children to safety
MANILA
Mass evacuations are under way Friday as the Philippines battened down for
what weather forecasters say is a potential super typhoon less than a week
after Metro Manila was devastated by the worst floods in 40 years.
The government ordered mandatory evacuation of children and minors but left
adult residents of areas threatened by typhoon Parma to decide for
themselves.
The tropical storm was churning steadily towards eastern Luzon, bringing
heavy rains in some areas. It's expected to make a landfall on Saturday.
Weather officials said affected areas stretched from Cagayan Valley to Albay.
Metro Manila was on edge as residents were just beginning to recover from
the devastation of typhoon Ondoy, which killed more than 290 people.
Parma seemed to be packing more wind than rain but disaster officials
warned people to prepared for the worst.
Radio broadcasts were interrupted with prayers as Filipinos implored to be
spared another catastrophe.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a nationwide "state of calamity" —
freeing up funds for emergency relief — and ordered six provincial
governments to evacuate residents from flood- and landslide-prone areas in
Parma's path.
National Disaster Coordinating Council chief Gilbert Teodoro said children
can be evacuated from Parma's path by force, but adults will be given
information to make their own decision.
"There is some resistance because they don't want to leave their homes
behind for fear of looting," Melchito Castro, the disaster response chief in one
threatened district, the Cagayan Valley," tolf the Associated Press "If they can't
be persuaded, we will be forced to get all the children and minors."
MANILA
Mass evacuations are under way Friday as the Philippines battened down for
what weather forecasters say is a potential super typhoon less than a week
after Metro Manila was devastated by the worst floods in 40 years.
The government ordered mandatory evacuation of children and minors but left
adult residents of areas threatened by typhoon Parma to decide for
themselves.
The tropical storm was churning steadily towards eastern Luzon, bringing
heavy rains in some areas. It's expected to make a landfall on Saturday.
Weather officials said affected areas stretched from Cagayan Valley to Albay.
Metro Manila was on edge as residents were just beginning to recover from
the devastation of typhoon Ondoy, which killed more than 290 people.
Parma seemed to be packing more wind than rain but disaster officials
warned people to prepared for the worst.
Radio broadcasts were interrupted with prayers as Filipinos implored to be
spared another catastrophe.
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared a nationwide "state of calamity" —
freeing up funds for emergency relief — and ordered six provincial
governments to evacuate residents from flood- and landslide-prone areas in
Parma's path.
National Disaster Coordinating Council chief Gilbert Teodoro said children
can be evacuated from Parma's path by force, but adults will be given
information to make their own decision.
"There is some resistance because they don't want to leave their homes
behind for fear of looting," Melchito Castro, the disaster response chief in one
threatened district, the Cagayan Valley," tolf the Associated Press "If they can't
be persuaded, we will be forced to get all the children and minors."
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