Phl on alert for typhoon 'Henry'

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The Philippines is on blue alert status as Typhoon typhoon Matmo (local name Henry) still hit northern and central parts of the country.

Matmo is expected to bring moderate to occasionally heavy rains and thunderstorms in Calabarzon region, which was severely hit by typhoon Rammasun (or locally known as Glenda) last month, and central region of Visayas, said Alexander Pama, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) today.

"Residents in these areas are advised to be on alert against possible flashfloods and landslides. Fisherfolds and those with small seacrafts are advised not to venture out over the eastern, southern and western seaboard of Luzon and the seaboards of Visayas," Pama said.

At least 589 passengers are stranded at the Coast Stations in Cebu, Tagbilaran and Sorsogon as of Monday afternoon as sea travel were suspended "due to unfavourable sea condition."

At least eight domestic flights were also cancelled due to bad weather condition.

Metro Manala and surrounding provinces are still reeling from the effects of Rommasun which wrought havoc last week, claiming 97 lives, and six others are still reported missing.

Packing sustained winds of 130 kph and gusts of up to 160 kph, Matmo was moving at 24 kph northwest toward central Taiwan, local weather station said.