Two dead as typhoon Doksuri batters Philippines

Typhoon Doksuri pounded the northern Philippines on Wednesday, killing at least two people, toppling trees and knocking out power as thousands sheltered with neighbours or in emergency evacuation centres.

Doksuri was packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 175 kilometres an hour as it hovered over waters around Dalupiri Island, off the northern tip of the main island of Luzon, the state weather agency said. Doksuri had been a super typhoon as it swept across the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday but weakened as it neared the Philippines.

The storm is expected to weaken as it moves across the South China Sea. China also issued its highest alert for Doksuri, stopping trains and calling fishing boats to shore as the storm approaches.