The storm, considered the most severe of this year, crossed the coast of Bourdeos city in Quezon province on Sunday and forced the evacuation of thousands of residents of the Luzon Island, Bucalan Governor Daniel Fernando told Philippines News Agency.

Fernando said that five rescuers, whom he described as heroes, were killed trying to assist, on a boat, residents trapped in the swelling, and a man was injured when the roof of his house fell down.

There were blackouts in the northern regions of Aurora and Nueva Ecija, and experts are working to restore the power service as soon as possible, officials of this sector said. Over 17,000 people from areas at high risk of natural disasters were relocated to temporary shelters, and classes and work were temporarily suspended in Manila and surrounding provinces.

According to this outlet, President Fernando Marcos hailed this preventive measure that prevented many deaths, he said.

Typhoon Noru intensified slightly as it passed through the Philippines, and as it leaves the country it has maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 170 kph, according to the weather bureau.

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