Super Typhoon Megi hits northern Philippines

Typhoon Megi makes landfall with heavy rain and winds

An intense "super typhoon" has made landfall in the northern Philippines, lashing the area with heavy rain and winds of up to 225km/h (140mph).

At least one person has been reported killed, and thousands have fled their homes. Emergency services are on alert, and many schools are closed.

Typhoon Megi is the strongest storm the Philippines has faced for four years.

In 2006, a storm with winds of 155km/h triggered mudslides, burying villages and killing about 1,000 people.

Tropical cyclones formed in the Pacific Ocean are called typhoons, but are classified on a scale of one to five in the same way as Atlantic Ocean hurricanes.

Strong typhoons with sustained winds of at least 130 knots (150mph; 240km/h), are referred to as super typhoons, according to the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center.

Forecasters said Megi was a super typhoon as it made landfall, but weakened slightly as it made its way across the northern Philippines.

report:Yai : *-*18.10.10