Typhoon Goni completely destroys power system in Philippine island

The Red Cross of the Philippines said on November 3 that eight towns on Catanduanes island were cut off and it could take months to restore power to the island of 260,000 people, which was devastated by the most powerful typhoon this year.
Typhoon Goni completely destroys power system in Philippine island ảnh 1A photo provided by the Philippine Red Cross (Photo: http://the star.com.my)
 
Hanoi (VNA) - TheRed Cross of the Philippines said on November 3 that eight towns on Catanduanesisland were cut off and it could take months to restore power to the island of260,000 people, which was devastated by the most powerful typhoon this year.

According to the Red Cross, an estimated 25,000 houses on the island weredestroyed by Typhoon Goni, which was packing winds of 225 kilometres per hourwhen it slammed into the island on November 1 before sweeping across southernLuzon.

Robert Kaufman, country head for the International Federation of Red Cross andRed Crescent Societies, said there are no telecoms services on the island andit could take months to restore power.

Emergency rescuers were trying to reach eight towns that have been cut off bylandslides, Kaufman said.

Ferocious winds and torrential rain destroyed at least 25,000 homes on theisland and damaged another 45,000, he said, noting that the numbers areexpected to rise.

Goni came a week after Typhoon Molave roared through the country. At least 20people were killed by Goni, including six in Catanduanes and 14 in nearby Albayprovince on Luzon island.

It is the strongest storm in the world so far this year and one of thestrongest to hit the Philippines since super typhoon Haiyan in 2013, which claimedover 6,300 lives./.

See more

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which stands 1,703 meters tall, has erupted multiple times in recent months. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia raises volcano alert to highest level

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, which stands 1,703 meters tall, has erupted multiple times in recent months. In November, a series of eruptions killed nine people, forced thousands to flee, and disrupted international flights to Bali.

Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane holds an online meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong on February 10 (Source: rapchilaoviet.org)

Laos, Australia seek stronger cooperation

They two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in key areas outlined in the Comprehensive Partnership Action Plan, including human resources development, trade and investment, climate change mitigation, sustainable energy development, security, law enforcement, and other important areas.

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (right) and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan at a joint press conference in Bogor on February 12. (Photo: AA/VNA)

Indonesia, Turkey boost trade, defence ties

Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto emphasised that the two sides are committed to increasing trade between the two countries, which is mutually beneficial and agreed to promote joint production and cooperation in the defence industry.

The number of foreign arrivals to Thailand in February is expected to reach 3.5 million, . (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

​Thailand's tourism sees bright outlook

Thailand is expected to welcome 3.5 million foreign tourist arrivals in February, a 5% increase year-on-year, with all major markets surging between 2% and 20%.

Singapore's Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam says that while the authorities here have been proactive, Singaporeans should be prepared. (Photo: The Strait Times)

Singapore warns of rising radicalisation cases

The Internal Security Department (ISD) announced on February 10 that two self-radicalised Singaporeans had been issued an Order of Detention and a Restriction Order under the Internal Security Act (ISA), respectively.