Typhoon Parma close to 'super typhoon' statusFrom correspondents...

Typhoon Parma close to 'super typhoon' status

From correspondents in the Philippines | October 01, 2009
Article from: Agence France-Presse

A STORM gathering strength to the east of the Philippines could develop into a "super typhoon" and dump more heavy rain on areas of the country still reeling from deadly floods, officials said.

While Typhoon Parma was so far on track to hit the Philippines north of the main disaster zone, the flood-ravaged areas were still likely to suffer rain and high winds, the Government's weather bureau said.

"We are dealing with a very strong typhoon, so we should be at the highest level of preparedness,'' state weather bureau spokesman Nathaniel Cruz said.

"There is a possibility that this will become a super typhoon.''

The Government defines a super typhoon as one with winds reaching 175-200km/h and with the potential to cause heavy damage.

Already packing gusts of up to 185km/h, Parma was last monitored 650km east of Borongan town on the eastern island of Samar at dawn.

Mr Cruz said the typhoon was expected to slam into the north of the Philippines' Luzon island on Saturday afternoon.

Tropical storm Ketsana dumped the heaviest rainfall in more than 40 years over Manila and surrounding areas on Saturday, claiming the lives of at least 277 people and affecting more than 2.5 million others.


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