MANILA, Philippines — A powerful typhoon slammed into the northeastern Philippines on Sunday, leaving at least two people dead, knocking out power and isolating villages amid floods and toppled trees. Typhoon Karika, locally known as Karen, blew into Aurora province early Sunday and was barreling fast through heavily-populated agricultural provinces with sustained winds of 130 kilometers (80 miles) per hour and gusts of 220 kph (136 mph), officials said. Coastal villagers were warned early to move to safer areas and there have been no immediate reports of casualties other than two injured residents, he said. Nearly 200 domestic and international flights have been canceled and thousands of passengers stranded in seaports after inter-island ferries were ordered not to venture out in rough seas. About 20 typhoons and storms lash the Philippines each year, adding to the many burdens in a country that's also threatened by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Source: New York Times October 16, 2016 01:53 UTC