Typhoon FENGSHEN aka "Frank"

20 killed, thousands evacuated as typhoon lashes RP

MANILA, Philippines -- (UPDATE 3) At least 20 people drowned as Typhoon Frank (international codename: Fengshen) spawned flashfloods and landslides, forcing the evacuation of tens of thousands in the Philippines, officials said Saturday.

In Iloilo City, at least 30,000 people were Saturday marooned on their rooftops after the typhoon caused a dam to overflow.

"At least 30,000 residents of Iloilo City are stranded on their rooftops because of the flood," said Iloilo City acting mayor Jed Mabilog.

He said rescuers have reported that many could be missing or killed, but this could not be independently confirmed.

Iloilo Representative Serg Biron said telecommunication lines, and electricity have been cut in many areas, making it difficult to coordinate rescue operations.

"I have received a lot of text messages appealing for helicopters, there are many people trapped on the rooftops," Biron said over DZBB radio.

"This is the worst flooding that has hit Iloilo in history," he said.

In the urban centers of Jaro and Iloilo City, residents could be seen wading in waist-deep waters, with roads rendered impassable to vehicles.

The National Power Corporation was forced to shut down its power plant in the area, triggering a blackout across the province, plant manager Nelson Hemona said.

The death toll in Central Mindanao and parts of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) has risen to 17 after five more bodies were fished out in North Cotabato and Maguindanao, officials said.

Mayor Ernesto Concepcion of Alamada, North Cotabato said one of the three missing victims on Friday was found dead Saturday.

Mayor Midpantao Midtimbang of Guindolongan, Maguindanao said four dead bodies had been found even as only three people were reported missing when the Talayan River overflowed.

He said he was not certain if the fourth victim came from the town.

Heavy floods and landslides also forced thousands of residents on the islands of Samar, Panay, Negros and in northern Cebu to take to evacuation centers.

The three provinces on Samar Island, Biliran, Leyte, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Negros Occidental and most of northern Cebu have been without electricity since Friday after strong winds spawned by the typhoon toppled trees and electric poles.

At least three persons, two in Negros Occidental and a fisherman in Leyte, were killed while at least 26 fishermen were reported missing after two fishing boats -- one with a crew of 19 and the other, 22 -- capsized near Marabut, Samar, on Friday and near Tactloban City early Saturday morning.

Perlita Sanipa, 40, of Negros Occidental reportedly died after a whirlwind hit her home in the village of Molocaboc, Sagay City shortly before 6 p.m. Friday, according to reports reaching the provincial disaster coordinating council (PDCC) in Bacolod City.

The whirlwind destroyed 16 houses and damaged 83 others, the PDCC reported.

Roads connecting the southern cities of Cotabato and General Santos were flooded, while a concrete bridge also collapsed, isolating some villages and towns, Catholic-run radio station DXMS reported.

The storm forced over 200,000 people to seek temporary shelter in the eastern Bicol region, the civil defense office said.

Heavy rains battered the Bicol region overnight, and over 600 people were stranded in various seaports there.

It also uprooted small trees, blew away tin roofs and caused power outages in the central Visayas provinces.

Early on Saturday Frank was tracking a west-northwest direction, packing winds of 140 kilometers (87 miles) an hour.

It was forecast to dump heavy rain over large parts of the central Visayas region and parts of the main island of Luzon until Sunday, the weather bureau said.

Residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes were warned against possible flash floods and landslides, while those in coastal areas were told to watch out for big waves.

Officials said domestic flights going to the central Philippines have been suspended, while inter-island ferry services were also halted.

Government agencies were instructed to stockpile on relief goods, while state-run hospitals were placed on alert.