Typhoon threatens Philippines, strands thousands

More than 3,000 passengers were stranded on piers in the northeastern Philippines Sunday, as a strong Pacific typhoon approached and prompted authorities to suspend ferry services and warn people to brace for possible flash floods and landslides. Government forecasters told a televised news conference that Typhoon Utor, which winds of 150 kilometers per hour (93 miles per hour) and gusts up to 185 kph (115 mph), could gather strength over the Philippine Sea before it slams into northeastern Aurora province Monday. Utor, the strongest typhoon to threaten to hit the country this year, was about 120 kilometers (75 miles) off northeast Catanduanes province by mid-day Sunday. It was blowing northwestward at 19 kph (12 mph), state forecaster Jori Loiz said, according to AP.