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Philippines

Philippines: typhoon season begins as 'Conson' wreaks havoc

By Abigail Dy, Philippine Red Cross, and LasseNorgaard, IFRC

Areas of north-east Quezon province and the central island of Luzon in the Philippines are still reeling from the effects of Typhoon Conson, which also caused heavy flooding and power outages in the capital Manila on Wednesday.

Conson marks the beginning of the typhoon season in the Asia Pacific region. Winds of up to 120 kilometres per hour killed 30 people and another 37 are still missing, including fishermen who were out at sea when the typhoon hit.

The fatalities include people killed by falling trees and electrocution from collapsed power lines. More than 6,000 families were left homeless and are now staying in 16 evacuation shelters. Large parts of Manila and Northern Luzon have been left without electricity.

Although Typhoon Conson was anticipated, the population of Manila was caught largely unaware as the storm was predicted to make landfall further north. Storm warning signals had been stronger for the north of the country than for the Metro Manila and its surroundings.

Early warning

Early warning systems tracking the path of the typhoon enabled the Philippines Red Cross to prepare its chapters. Preparations included alerting volunteers trained in emergency response, as well asthe prepositioningof rubber boats, blankets, generator sets, water and other relief items.

Staff and volunteers responded immediately after the disaster, helping people to reach the evacuation centres and providing hot 'meals on wheels' from mobile kitchens.

The Red Cross is now bracing itself for a busy and dramatic typhoon season. "This was the first one of the year, but we can expect that more will follow," says Philippine Red Cross chairman Richard Gordon. "We should all be prepared, not only for typhoons but also other disasters that might happen in the coming months."

Preparations are also underway in Viet Nam, where Typhoon Conson is expected to make landfall over the weekend after having changed direction on Friday.