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Tropical Storm Brings Flooding to Philippines

by Reuters

   MANILA, PHILIPPINES --

   Moderate to heavy rains caused flooding and landslides in central
   Philippines as tropical storm Kai-tak made landfall Saturday afternoon,
   and may hit more areas while moving westward, the weather bureau said
   Saturday.

   Locally known as Urduja, Kai-tak was barreling through the eastern
   region of Visayas, hitting islands and coastal towns such as Tacloban
   City where Supertyphoon Haiyan claimed 8,000 lives in 2013.

   Heavy rains and large waves have stranded at least 11,000 people in
   various ports in the region, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
   More than 10,000 people have fled to evacuation centers, local media
   reported.

   Disaster officials were verifying reports that three people, including
   a 2-year-old boy, had been killed during the storm.

   Several provinces were placed under storm warning signals, where heavy
   rains may persist, the weather bureau said.

   Kai-tak was packing maximum sustained winds of 80 kilometers (50 miles)
   per hour, with gustiness of up to 110 kph, after making landfall in the
   vicinity of San Policarpio in Eastern Samar.