Hundreds Return in Philippines, Typhoon Weakens
Hundreds of people in the north of the main Philippine island of Luzon left evacuation centres and returned home on Sunday after a typhoon weakened significantly as it made landfall, although officials still warned of heavy rain and rough seas. Once described as super typhoon Maysak as it bore down on the Philippines in recent days, the storm was carrying winds of 55 km ph (35 mph) and was rated as a tropical depression as it made landfall on Sunday morning. "We thank God," said Alexander Pama, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. "From a super typhoon a week ago, we now have a tropical depression.
Typhoon Kills 10 in Philippines, Storm Heading for China
A typhoon killed at least 10 people as it churned across the Philippines and shut down the capital, cutting power and prompting the evacuation of more than 400,000 residents, rescue officials said. The eye of Typhoon Rammasun, the strongest storm to hit the country this year, passed south of Manila after cutting a path across the main island of Luzon, toppling trees and power lines and causing electrocutions and widespread blackouts. By Wednesday evening, the storm was easing in the capital and markets and public offices were due to reopen on Thursday. Some schools were to remain closed. Manila Electric Company said 76 percent of the area it serves was without power, compared with 86 percent earlier in the day.
Ore Carrier Loss: Intercargo Press for Investigation
MV Harita Bauxite, a Handymax bulk carrier sank recently off Cape Bolinao with the loss of 14 of the 24 crew. According to the Philippine's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council a distress rocket signal was sighted by the MV Jin Cheng on 18, February, 2013 in the vicinity of Cape Bolinao, Bolinao, Pangasinan. Ten crew members were subsequently rescued by Jin Cheng and later taken to shore by helicopter. Reportedly the Harita Bauxite had sunk following (unspecified) engine trouble. The Panama-registered, 1983-built handymax ship which was reportedly carrying a cargo of nickel ore from Obi, Indonesia to China, sank on the evening of 17 February after suffering engine failure, possibly during poor weather.
