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Typhoon Goni: Philippine island mops up, may be without power for months

  • Goni, one of the most powerful typhoons in the world this year, hit the Philippines on Sunday, causing widespread destruction
  • The Red Cross said eight towns on Catanduanes were cut off, while the governor said 80 per cent of electricity posts were toppled

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Residents walk under toppled electrical posts in Malilipot, Albay province, central Philippines, after Typhoon Goni. Photo: AP
It could take months to restore power to a Philippine island of 260,000 people devastated by the country’s most powerful typhoon this year, the Red Cross said on Tuesday.
Eight towns on Catanduanes were cut off and an estimated 25,000 houses destroyed by Typhoon Goni, which was packing winds of 225km/h (140mph) when it slammed into the island on Sunday before sweeping across southern Luzon.

Catanduanes Governor Joseph Cua and other officials said the typhoon whipped up 5-metre (16-foot) storm surges which damaged or swept away thousands of houses. Cua described the onslaught as “severe”. About 80 per cent of the electricity posts on the island were toppled and roads linking the province’s 11 towns remained impassable, Cua said.

Robert Kaufman, country head for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said there are no telecoms services on the island.

Emergency personnel were trying to reach eight towns that have been cut off by landslides, Kaufman said after a flying visit.

“Building after building, house after house … if it’s not destroyed it’s damaged,” Kaufman said.

“Many people, who were already hanging on by a thread, now their livelihood is really turned upside down and they will need support.”

Ferocious winds and torrential rain damaged at least 100,000 homes in Goni’s path.

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