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Bloomberg
Typhoon Kammuri barrelled into the Philippines’ main island, killing at least three people, displacing half a million more and shutting its main airport.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte canceled work in government offices in Metro Manila, while schools were closed as Kammuri battered the capital region on Tuesday. The foreign exchange and stock markets were open.
About half a million people moved to safer ground as the typhoon slammed into Luzon island before midnight on Monday. Authorities closed Manila’s airport for 12 hours until 11 pm on Tuesday, prompting the cancellation of nearly 500 flights.
The storm locally known as Tisoy is bringing violent winds and intense rainfall over the southern portion of Luzon island, packing maximum winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 195 kph, the nation’s weather bureau said in its 2 pm report. Heavy rains will continue until Tuesday night in the capital, it said.
Two people were killed in Oriental Mindoro province, Governor Humerlito Dolor told DZMM radio. A 33-year-old man who was repairing his roof died of electrocution in Camarines Sur province on Monday.
Ayala Land Inc., Robinsons Land Inc. and SM Prime Holdings Inc. malls waived overnight parking fees to allow customers to wait out the storm.
Powerful winds ripped apart walls and shattered windows of the airport in Albay province, while uprooting trees in Samar province, ABS-CBN News reported. Organizers of the 30th Southeast Asian Games suspended canoe-kayak and windsurfing competitions.
The Supreme Court shut all courts in Metro Manila, while an international conference organized by the Philippine central bank was canceled.