Tropical Storm Lekima lashes the Philippines by Nina Ridge
Tropical storm Lekima swept through the Philippines on Saturday, lashing the northern islands with heavy rain and winds of up to 34 mph (55kmph). Over 5 people were killed by the storm which sparked flooding and triggered landslides. Many of the islands ferry services were suspended and more than 3000 people were forced to leave their homes and take refuge in shelters.
After making landfall, Lekima has since weakened and is now in the South China Sea, heading towards Vietnam. The Weather Bureau has lowered all the storm alerts, but has advised people in low-lying areas to take precautions against possible flash floods.
Meanwhile in the Pacific, the remnants of Hurricane Lorenzo have been bringing rain to central Mexico. Lorenzo hit the Gulf coast early on Friday as a hurricane but rapidly weakened into a tropical depression as it moved over land. The hurricane season lasts until the end of November, and has been particularly active this year, already spawning four hurricanes.
