Typhoon Conson causes blackout in Philippines

Typhoon Conson hit the Philippines, causing large tract of blackout and leaving a trail of wreckage in the capital Manila, witnesses said Wednesday.

There were no immediate reports of fatalities and the extent of the damage but communication systems were down amid the chaos of the typhoon's aftermath.

Electricity was knocked out throughout the main island of Luzon, including the country's capital where fallen tree branches and other debris littered the streets.

Manila's overhead railway system was also shut down due to the power outage. Knee-high floods and fallen trees were still blocking some roads in and around the capital, obstructing traffic.

The government called off classes at primary and high schools in Manila.

Airport officials said their operations had returned to normal after the storm passed.

Conson, packing maximum gusts of 120 kilometres an hour, hit the eastern side of Luzon late Tuesday and crossed the island before exiting before dawn Wednesday, heading west into the South China Sea at 22 kilometres an hour.

Source: Xinhua