Philippines cleans up after sixth major storm in weeks

Filipinos cleared fallen trees and repaired damaged houses on Nov 18 after the sixth major storm to batter the Philippines in a month smashed flimsy buildings, knocked out power and claimed at least eight lives.

The national weather service had warned of a "potentially catastrophic" impact from Man-yi, which was a super typhoon when it hit over the weekend, but President Ferdinand Marcos Ir said on Nov 18 it "wasn't as bad as we feared".

Packing maximum sustained wind speeds of 185kmh, Man-yi slammed into Catanduanes island late on Nov 16, and the main island of Luzon on Nov 17 afternoon.

It uprooted trees, brought down power lines, crushed wooden houses and triggered landslides, but did not cause serious flooding.

"Though Pepito was strong, the impact wasn't as bad as we feared," Mr Marcos said, according to an official transcript of his remarks to media, using the local name for Man-yi.

"We will now carry on with the rescue of those (in) isolated areas and the continuing relief for those who are, who have been displaced and have no means to prepare their own meals and have no water supplies," Mr Marcos said.

The death toll from the typhoon has risen to eight.