7 dead as tropical storm "Lando" sweeps Philippines

MANILA, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- At least seven people were killed in the heavy rains and landslide in central and southern Philippines brought by tropical storm "Lando", local newspaper the Philippine Daily Inquirer said Tuesday.

According to National Disaster Coordinating Council, five other people were injured while two others were still missing. Floods and landslides also displaced 3,310 people, prompting officials in certain central Philippine provinces to declare a state of calamity, the report said.

"Lando", which packs winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 85 kilometers per hour, entered the Philippines on Monday and kept moving west at 19 kilometers per hour.

The storm was expected to cross the Sulu Sea, heading towards the South China Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Administration said.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-11/20/content_7110349.htm