A new tropical storm hit the Philippine islands today, killing at least four people and evacuating more than 433.000 from villages prone to landslides and flooding.
Tropical Storm Bualoi, which has weakened since making landfall last night, is the latest to threaten Asia.
Typhoon Ragasa, one of the strongest in recent years, killed 25 people in the northern Philippines and Taiwan, mostly in flooding, before reaching mainland China and weakening over Vietnam.
Storm Bualoi made landfall in the Philippine city of San Policarpo in Eastern Samar province late last night with winds of 110 kilometers per hour, causing power outages in eastern and central provinces, flooding and two minor landslides, the Philippine Disaster Management Agency said.
More than 433.000 people were evacuated to state-designated shelters as the storm approached, including in Albay province where residents at the foot of Mayon, one of the country's most active volcanoes, were urged to evacuate due to possible volcanic mudflows, the Civil Defense office told reporters.
Four of the dead were from the central island province of Masbate, killed by falling trees or debris, while one person was struck by lightning, officials said.
Masbate Governor Ricardo Kho told a news conference that clearance operations were needed as most roads were impassable for sending food and aid. He said help was also needed to open ports as soon as possible so that aid from other provinces could arrive.
Tropical Storm Bualoi, locally called Opong, is the 15th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year.
The fast-moving, rain-laden storm is moving northwest from the center and could reach densely populated coastal provinces south of the capital Manila later today before entering the South China Sea. It could strengthen into a typhoon on its way to Vietnam, the Philippine weather service said.
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