Mirinae hits Philippines

Oct 31, 2009 Typhoon Mirinae smashed into the Philippines overnight, but has weakened after hitting the eastern province of Quezon. -- PHOTO: AP MANILA - TYPHOON Mirinae smashed into the Philippines overnight, washing away a bridge, causing power outages and dumping fresh rain on areas still flooded after recent killer storms, officials said on Saturday. There have been no reports of fatalities but one man is missing after his hut was washed away by floodwaters, said civil defence spokesman Ernesto Torres. One person was rescued after a bridge in Batangas City just south of Manila was destroyed by a swollen river, taking at least one car with it, local officials said. It was not yet clear if anyone was missing from the incident. Electricity supplies were also interrupted in parts of Manila and in surrounding areas as the storm toppled power lines and trees, rendering some roads impassable, Torres said. All international and local flights to and from Manila were cancelled, said airport general manager Alfonso Cusi. He said he hoped flights would resume once the storm had passed. Mirinae weakened after hitting the eastern province of Quezon at midnight as it crossed the main Philippine island of Luzon, moving west towards the South China Sea. -- AFP