Typhoon Seniang Kills 15 in N. Philippines

Typhoon Seniang Kills 15 in N. Philippines

Strong rains and winds brought by Typhoon Seniang Friday caused water in some parts of Metro Manila to reach waist-level as 15 persons were killed and five are still missing in various parts of the northern Philippines.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said that as of 5:00 p.m., 22,414 families or 112,479 persons were displaced by Typhoon Seniang.

The NDCC said Typhoon Seniang has affected a total of 161,976 families or 548,407 persons in Metro Manila and 14 provinces in the northern Philippines.

Meanwhile, the Manila Electric Co.(Meralco) which serves Metro Manila and surrounding provinces, said 58 percent of areas served remained without power as of early Friday afternoon.

The Meralco said it will allow the bad weather to die down before its maintenance personnel begin repair work on damaged power lines.

The latest typhoon comes while Luzon island is still reeling from tropical storm Reming which left 44 dead, 250 injured, and 58 missing.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geographical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the strongest sustained wind of Seniang is 120 kilometers per hour (kph), with gustiness of about 150 kph.

The PAGASA said Typhoon Seniang has moved to the West Philippine Sea as of 4:00 p.m. and it is expected to continue moving westward toward the South China Sea at 9 kph.