Typhoon Chanthu slams into northern Philippines, hundreds evacuate

Residents wait for ferry transport in Cauayan, Isabela province in the northern Philippines after the bridge (R) was submerged by the swollen Cagayan river due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Chanthu.- AFP

MANILA, Sept 11 (Dpa): Typhoon Chanthu slammed into the northern Philippines on Saturday, forcing hundreds to flee their homes amid heavy rains and strong winds, officials said.

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, 678 kilometres north of Manila, the weather bureau said.