At least 10 killed as typhoon rips through the Philippines

Typhoon Rammasun battered the main island of Luzon with gusts of up to 115mph killing at least 10 and leaving thousands without power.

07:23 17 July 2014

Typhoon Rammasun, locally known as Glenda, was classified as the most powerful storm this year in the Philippines. On Tuesday and Wednesday, it battered the main island of Luzon with gusts of up to 115mph leaving thousands of people without power and killing at least 10.

 

Despite veering off-track south of the capital of Manila, the storm still destroyed the city, which is home to 12 million people. 

 

Government offices and schools were forced to close as electricity poles, trees, and roofs were extensively damaged. 

 

More than 370,000 people were evacuated to emergency shelters in six provinces. 

 

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada said: "It was like a drill - we hauled people away from dangerous seaside areas, whether they liked it or not."

 

At least four provinces in Luzon have declared “state of calamity”, which allows regional government to access emergency relief funds. 

 

Damages assessments are still being carried out. 

 

In 2013, the southern part of the Philippines was battered by Typhoon Haiyan, which left at least 6,300 people dead and more than 1,000 missing.