Manila braces for typhoon

Last Updated: Tue, 13 Jul 2010 20:32:00 +1000

Thousands of passengers have been stranded in airports and sea ports in the central and northern Philippines as the country braces for its first typhoon of the rainy season.

Shirley Escalante reports typhoon Conson, with winds of up to 150 kilometres an hour, was projected to make landfall in the north-central Philippines.

Sea travel has been suspended while several international and domestic flights at the country's main airport, in the capital, Manila, have either been diverted or cancelled due to bad weather.

Classes have been suspended in 30 provinces and cities, including the capital, where the typhoon is expected to hit.

Government officials instructed government agencies and local officials to conduct evacuation in flood and landslide-prone areas.

They also assured the public of standby contingency funds and sufficient stockpiles of relief goods for evacuees.

Weather forecasters say typhoon Conson is expected to cross the northern Philippines and exit through the north-west on Thursday.

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