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Typhoon Hagupit batters the Philippines

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Airports in the eastern Visayas region of the Philippines have been heavily disrupted or closed as a super typhoon ripped through the island nation.


A total of 183 flights were cancelled and five airports closed across the country. There were power outages in 16 provinces.


Transport by sea has also been widely disrupted in areas in and around the path of Typhoon Hagupit – locally names as Ruby.


“Travelling in hazardous sea conditions should be avoided,” the Foreign and Commonwealth Office warned in an updated travel advisory.


“Several towns and cities in the eastern and northern Samar provinces remain inaccessible, as fallen debris and landslide blocked access roads.


“Power supplies in the track of the typhoon have experienced significant outages. Mobile networks, telephone and internet communications have also suffered outages and cannot be 100% relied upon.”


At least three people have been killed since the storm made landfall on Saturday and around a million people have taken shelter in evacuation centres.


Authorities told the BBC they were better prepared than when Haiyan struck in 2013, and organised the largest peacetime evacuation in the history of the Philippines.


Although weakening, the typhoon is tracking towards the capital of Manila, where people are preparing for heavy rain that may cause floods and storm surges.


Thousands who live along the coast and riverbanks were evacuated on Monday, reports said.


The FCO added: “The typhoon has since tracked slowly north, north westerly to the island of Masbate bringing sustained winds of up to 160kms per hour and heavy rain.


“While the typhoon has continued to weaken, it remains a powerful storm that can lead to storm surges, flooding and landslides.


“Adequate precautions should continue to be taken including monitoring local media and following advice from local authorities, including any evacuation orders.”

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