Philippines typhoon leads to Christmas misery
December 25, 2019
Typhoon Phanfone has led to a miserable Christmas Day for millions of inhabitants of the mostly Catholic nation of the Philippines.
Tens of thousands of people were stranded at ports or evacuation centers on Wednesday, and many residents were housebound as the storm wreaked destruction across the island nation.
The typhoon has destroyed thousands of homes and, while no deaths have yet been reported, rescuers say they have yet to reach many areas that are more isolated.
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"The aftermath of course made us sad because it's Christmas Day, but it doesn't feel like Christmas," one resident, Paul Sinco, told Reuters news agency. "But we're blessed to be safe," he added.
Thousands in temporary shelter
All in all 16,000 people spent the night in improvised shelters after the typhoon made ground on Tuesday. Schools, gyms and government buildings doubled up as overnight accommodation.
More than 4,000 people have been evacuated. Trees and wildlife are also being destroyed in the wake of the storm.
Winds have reached up to 120 km/h (75mph) in parts of the region. This is one of the most ferocious storms the south-east Asian nation has received since thousands died in 2013.
Little let-up in the aggressive weather conditions is expected in the coming days.
ed/aw (Reuters, AFP)