Typhoon leaves 1 dead, but weakens as it crosses central Philippines

Boys pedal their way past boats placed on a safer area in Legazpi city, central Philippines as Typhoon Melor slammed into the eastern Philippines, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. Hundreds of thousands of residents fled their homes as Typhoon Melor slammed into the eastern Philippines, where flood- and landslide-prone communities are bracing for destructive winds, heavy rains and coastal floods of up to 4 meters (13 feet), officials said Monday. (AP Photo/Roldano Amaranto) (The Associated Press)

Residents while away their time at an evacuation center in Legazpi city, central Philippines as Typhoon Melor slammed into the eastern Philippines, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. Hundreds of thousands of residents fled their homes as Typhoon Melor slammed into the eastern Philippines, where flood- and landslide-prone communities are bracing for destructive winds, heavy rains and coastal floods of up to 4 meters (13 feet), officials said Monday. (AP Photo/Roldano Amaranto) (The Associated Press)

Workers unload sacks of rice intended for typhoon evacuees in Legazpi city, central Philippines as Typhoon Melor slammed into the eastern Philippines, Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. Hundreds of thousands of residents fled their homes as Typhoon Melor slammed into the eastern Philippines, where flood- and landslide-prone communities are bracing for destructive winds, heavy rains and coastal floods of up to 4 meters (13 feet), officials said Monday. (AP Photo/Roldano Amaranto) (The Associated Press)

Typhoon Melor has weakened as it crossed over the central Philippines, leaving one man dead and wide areas without power. About 730,000 people were evacuated to safer grounds before the typhoon hit.

The government weather bureau said Tuesday that Melor was northwest of central Romblon Island, packing winds of 140 kilometers (87 miles) per hour and gusts of up to 170 kph (106 mph). Classes, flights and ferry trips remain suspended in affected areas.

Adzar Aurelio, a government weather forecaster, says the typhoon is expected to exit the land mass of Mindoro island later Tuesday, moving over the South China Sea away from the country. It is forecast to weaken to a severe tropical storm on Wednesday and to a tropical depression by Thursday.