Super Typhoon Mangkhut: Most powerful storm on Earth in 2018 kills at least 14 in Philippines
In Pics: Strong Typhoon Mangkhut hits the northern tip of the Philippines on Saturday
A strong typhoon tore through the northern tip of the Philippines on Saturday packing winds of more than 200 kph (124 mph) along with torrential rain, killing three people and causing floods, landslides and power outages.Mangkhut entered the Philippines as a super typhoon in the early hours, and sent winds and rains across the entire main island of Luzon, home to about half the country's 105 million people.
Known locally as Ompong, Typhoon Mangkhut at one point had maximum gusts of 305 kph (190 mph) before it exited the land area before noon and moved towards southern China and Vietnam with reduced wind speeds of 170 kph (106 mph).
Two rescue workers were killed while trying to free people trapped in a landslide in the mountainous Cordillera region, said Ricardo Jalad, head of the nation's disaster agency. No further details were provided. Police also said a body had been found in a river in Manila.
More than 1,000 houses were impacted in Cagayan province, where the storm first made landfall, with authorities in the town of Baggao saying they had lost contact with an emergency response team, said Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana.
Super Typhoon Mangkhut approached waters near southern Taiwan.
Photo Credits: AFP
Sea water being sucked into the air in Taitung county, eastern Taiwan, as Super Typhoon Mangkhut approached waters near southern Taiwan.
Photo Credits: AFP
An overturned tricycle is seen next to a destroyed house after Super Typhoon Mangkhut hit the town of Alcala, Cagayan province on September 15, 2018. Super Typhoon Mangkhut smashed through the Philippines on September 15, as the biggest storm to hit the region this year claimed the lives of its first victims and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.
Photo Credits: TED ALJIBE/AFP
A woman weeps as she talks about her family's experience at the height of Super Typhoon Mangkhut in the town of Baggao, Cagayan province on September 15, 2018.
Photo Credits: TED ALJIBE/AFP
Residents reinforce the roof of their house by putting heavy tires at a slum area in Manila on September 14, 2018. Preparations were in high gear in the Philippines with super Typhoon Mangkhut set to make a direct hit in less than 24 hours, packing winds up to 255 kilometres per hour and drenching rains. Thousands fled their homes on the Philippines'' northern coastal tip ahead of the early Saturday landfall of what is expected to be the disaster-prone nation''s fiercest storm yet this year.
Photo Credits: AFP
A resident inspects their damaged house in the aftermath of Typhoon Mangkhut in Alcala town, Cagayan province on September 15, 2018. Super Typhoon Mangkhut smashed through the Philippines on September 15, as the biggest storm to hit the region this year claimed the lives of its first victims and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes.
Photo Credits: TED ALJIBE/AFP
A damaged building is seen as Typhoon Mangkhut hits Philippines, in Laoag, Philippines September 15, 2018 in this still image obtained from a social media video.
Photo Credits: Reuters
Motorists drive past a partially damaged road after Typhoon Mangkhut hit the main island of Luzon, in Carranglan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, September 15, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
A damaged house is seen after Typhoon Mangkhut hits Philippines, Bolinao, Pangasinan, Philippines September 15, 2018 in this still image obtained from a social media video.
Photo Credits: Reuters
Government workers clear a partially damaged road after Typhoon Mangkhut hit the main island of Luzon, in Sta Fe, Nueva Viscaya, Philippines, September 15, 2018.
Photo Credits: Reuters
A man watching huge waves crashing into the coast at Taitung county, eastern Taiwan, as Super Typhoon Mangkhut approaches the southern sea of Taiwan. Taiwan''s central weather bureau predicted that Mangkhut would be nearest to the island on September 15, bringing heavy rains to its southern and eastern parts although it was unlikely to make a direct hit.
Photo Credits: AFP