Gov't issues typhoon alerts in wake of "Egay"

MANILA (AFP) - Philippines authorities issued landslide and flood alerts Thursday as Typhoon "Egay" (international codename: Sepat) brought strong winds and rain that have already hit much of the capital Manila.

The weather bureau said the typhoon was heading toward the northern tip of the country with gusts of up to 220 kilometres (136 miles) an hour.

The storm has brought torrential rain which on Wednesday paralysed Manila, flooding roads and forcing the closure of schools and government offices.

Schools remained closed in Manila and surrounding provinces Thursday while large areas of Pampanga and Aurora provinces north of Manila were under water, the civil defence office here said.

Weather forecasters said the eye of Sepat had passed within 500 kilometres of the island of Catanduanes at dawn Thursday and would close to within 100 kilometres of Batan island Saturday.

Coastal areas in the north should be on alert "against big waves and storm surges generated by this typhoon," the bureau said in an advisory.

It warned that those living near mountain slopes and low-lying areas should take precautions against possible flash floods and landslides.