* Mandatory evacuations saved lives - officials
* Some disruption to SEA Games schedule
* Nearly 500 flights halted, 100,000 passengers impacted
* Typhoon weakens, landslide warnings remain
(Releads with update on casualties and storm intensity, adds
quotes)
MANILA, Dec 3 (Reuters) - A typhoon struck the Philippines
on Tuesday, killing at least three people, disrupting air travel
and forcing government offices and schools to shut.
Authorities evacuated some 225,000 people ahead of the
arrival overnight of Typhoon Kammuri, known locally as Tisoy.
Officials said their precautions prevented greater loss of life,
while warnings of floods, storm surges and landslides were
issued in the wake of the country's 20th typhoon of the year.
"We've seen great improvement in local government management
of preparations for disasters," disaster agency spokesman Mark
Timbal told news channel ANC.
Winds gusting up to 200 kph (124 mph) damaged homes and
structures and tore down trees and signage as it barrelled
through central islands south of the capital, as it moved across
the archipelago towards the South China Sea.
A man died after being electrocuted while attempting to fix
his roof in Camarines Sur province, according to a civil defence
official. Two people who ignored a mandatory evacuation were
killed in Oriental Mindoro, one hit by a falling tree and the
other by a sheet of metal roofing material.
"It could have been more if we did not have pre-emptive
evacuation," Humerlito Dolor, governor of Oriental Mindoro
province, told DZMM radio.
Some 499 flights were postponed and 100,000 people impacted
by a precautionary closure of Manila's main airport for 12 hours
until 11:00 p.m. Tuesday (1500 GMT). Flights continued in
unaffected areas of the country.
Pictures posted on social media showed waves crashing
against bulwarks, panels flying off roofs, and fallen trees.
Authorities warned of storm surges of up to three metres and
possible floods and landslides ahead after heavy winds and rain.
Commercial sea travel was halted.
Government offices and schools in Manila were closed and
utilities firms warned of power outages.
Worst hit was the airport in Legazpi City, which suffered
structural damage, with television showing cables, lighting and
panels hanging from the ceiling over the departure areas.
The Philippines is hosting the Southeast Asian Games until
Dec. 11 and organisers postponed several events until later in
the competition, among them surfing, kayak, windsurfing, polo,
sailing, skateboarding and canoeing.
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