Powerful Typhoon Chanthu slams into Philippines as Taiwan braces for impact

Motorists cross a bridge as the river starts to swell due to approaching typhoon Chanthu in Cauayan, Isabela province, northern Philippines, Friday Sept. 10, 2021. Typhoon Chanthu skirted past most of the Philippines on Friday but appeared to be gaining strength and heading directly for Taiwan this weekend, forecasters said. - AP

MANILA, Sept 11 (dpa): Powerful Typhoon Chanthu slammed into the northern Philippines on Saturday, forcing hundreds to flee their homes amid heavy rains and strong winds, as the storm set course for Taiwan.

Chanthu was packing maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 250 kph as it made landfall over Batanes province, the weather bureau said.