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Fast-moving Typhoon Kalmaegi slams into northeastern Philippines

Associated Press
Published | Updated

A Filipino reacts as he is hit by waves along a promenade in Manila, Philippines on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. The Philippine weather bureau says Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally called Luis, was located based on all available data at 266 km North Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or at 347 km East Southeast of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 20 kph. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (The Associated Press)

Filipinos sit on new lightposts as rain briefly stops in Makati, Philippines on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. The Philippine weather bureau says Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally called Luis, was located based on all available data at 266 km North Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or at 347 km East Southeast of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 20 kph. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (The Associated Press)

Filipino women devotees brave strong winds as they carry an image of the Lady of Penafrancia during a procession in Manila, Philippines on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2014. The Philippine weather bureau says Typhoon Kalmaegi, locally called Luis, was located based on all available data at 266 km North Northeast of Virac, Catanduanes or at 347 km East Southeast of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It is forecast to move West Northwest at 20 kph. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) (The Associated Press)

A fast-moving typhoon has slammed into the northeastern Philippines, sparking warnings of possible landslides, flash floods and storm surges.

Government forecasters say Typhoon Kalmaegi, with sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (81 miles per hour) and gusts of 160 kph (99 mph), blew into the boundary of Cagayan and Isabela provinces Sunday. It was forecast to barrel northwestward through the mountainous north at 22 kph (14 mph) before blowing out Tuesday into the South China Sea.

The storm has been blamed for enhancing monsoon winds that whipped up big waves and caused a stalled ferry to sink in the central Philippines late Saturday. Cargo and passenger ships plucked at least 110 survivors from the rough waters and recovered three bodies after the ferry sank.