Coasts cleared for typhoon

The Philippines ordered the evacuation of people living in low-lying coastal areas yesterday as a "super typhoon" threatened devastation a week after flash floods killed nearly 300 people in and around Manila.

Typhoon Parma, 270km east of the island of Catanduanes, was gaining strength as it churned west-northwest towards the mainland and was already bringing heavy rain to the area.

It was expected to make landfall near the northeastern Aurora and Isabela provinces on Luzon today.