China readies for Typhoon Sanba

Typhoon Sanba, currently targeting South Korea, was expected to bring heavy rains to China's northeastern regions in the next two days, forecasters said Sunday. China has designated Sanba, its 16th typhoon of the year, as a super storm, Xinhua News Agency reported. Meteorologists said they expect Sanba to hit Heilongjiang Province and Jilin Provinces over the next two days. In the Philippines, meteorologists reported Sanba, though not expected to directly hit the country, brought heavy rains, displacing hundreds of families. A 70-year-old fisherman from the town of Tomas Opus in the central Philippines had died after going fishing last Thursday, Xinhua reported. Heavy flooding was reported in Manila and nearby areas, forcing the evacuation of about 400 people. Meteorologists said although Sanba was forecast to enhance southwest monsoon that would bring occasional heavy rains over Central Luzon where Manila is located, Bicol Region, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Western Visayas. "Residents in these areas are advised to be alert against possible flashfloods and landslides," the weather bureau said.