Typhoon Melor (Nona) Batters Philippines, Killing 3 People

(Photo from Channel News Asia)

Typhoon Melor or locally known as Typhoon Nona was the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane as it moved into the Philippines on Monday.

At least 3 people were killed, one person died of hypothermia while two others drowned in floods as the typhoon carved through the central Philippines on Tuesday bringing heavy rain and strong winds that left millions without electricity in at least seven provinces.

Channel News Asia reported that Typhoon Melor whipped the vast Bicol peninsula, with a population of 5.4 million people, overnight before slamming into the Romblon islands on Tuesday morning.

Bad weather forced the cancellation of 16 domestic flights on Tuesday, adding to the 56 flights cancelled on Monday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

Tin roofs and branches littered the streets of the city of Legazpi, which was battered by strong winds.

Gusts had weakened somewhat by Tuesday morning but were still recorded at 170 kilometres (106 miles) per hour from 185 kilometres per hour on Monday.

Rainfall amounts could top 300 mm (12 inches) in the central Philippines, especially across the higher terrain could cause life-threatening flooding and mudslides.

This December 14, 20115 NASA satellite image shows Typhoon Melor over the Philippines. More than 700,000 people in the central Philippines fled to safer areas for fear of giant waves, floods or landslides as Typhoon Melor slammed into the archipelago nation December 14, officials said. Melor brushed the northern tip of Samar, a farming island of 1.5 million people, early December 14 with winds gusting up to 185 kilometres (115 miles) per hour, the state weather bureau said. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. AFP PHOTO / HANDOUT / NASA == RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE / MANDATORY CREDIT: “AFP PHOTO / HANDOUT / NASA”/ NO MARKETING / NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS / DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS == / AFP / NASA / –

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