Pacific / Northern Marianas

Aid starts to flow to typhoon-hit Marianas

09:34 am on 29 October 2018

Aid is starting to arrive in the typhoon-devastated Northern Marianas five days after the US territory was hit by Yutu.

Damage caused by Super Typhoon Yutu Photo: Mark Rabago

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Hundreds of people are homeless after their houses were reduced to rubble by winds exceeding 350km/h.

Several flights carrying relief supplies including food, water and shelter arrived over the weekend.

Power is still out in many areas.

The main airport on Saipan reopened yesterday for stranded tourists to leave the territory.

It remains closed to arrivals.

Meanwhile, governor Ralph Torres said he had suspended his re-election campaign to focus entirely on the emergency response.

The territory is due to go to the polls at the US midterm elections on 6 November.