Typhoon Nock-Ten kills six in Philippines
Powerful typhoon Nock-Ten has killed at least six people - and nine more are missing - after making its way through the Philippines, officials say.
Despite initial fears, the heavily-populated capital, Manila, was spared by the storm, which had winds of up to 120 km/h.
Workers check downed electric posts on the national road after typhoon Nock-Ten made landfall in Nabua, Camarines Sur. Photo: AFP
Nock-Ten brought down trees and power lines, and forced more than 380,000 people out of their homes.
Authorities have warned of flash floods and mudslides for the next 36 hours.
Emergency workers were sent to clear roads of fallen trees and power lines. Officials promised that electricity would be restored quickly in badly hit areas.
Dozens of national and international flights had been cancelled because of the storm, and officials said more than 12,000 people spent Christmas stuck at ports after authorities barred ferries from sailing.
Sea, land and air transport have slowly resumed operations.
A farmer died after being hit by a fallen tree in Quezon province, and three other villagers, including a couple who were swept by a flash flood, died in Albay province, the Philippine Star reported.
In Albay, officials reportedly imposed forced evacuations, as residents refused to leave their homes at Christmas, the biggest holiday in the largely Catholic nation.
Nock-Ten, known as Nina in the Philippines, made landfall on the eastern coast near Catanduanes island late on Sunday, and it was heading towards the South China Sea.
In Catanduanes, Albay and Camarines Sur, officials declared a "state of calamity" to allow faster disbursement of emergency funds, the Manila Bulletin said.
In October, Super Typhoon Haima hit the country, killing at least four people. In 2013, super typhoon Haiyan claimed more than 7,350 lives.
- BBC