Hong Kong Observatory raises No 1 signal as Typhoon Utor batters Philippines

The Hong Kong Observatory raised the Strong Wind Signal No 1 at 4.05pm on Monday as the Severe Typhoon Utor battered its way through the northern Philippines on Monday.

At 4pm, Utor was centred about 400 kilometres south-southeast of Dongsha. It is forecast to move west-northwest at about 22km per hour across the central part of the South China Sea, in the general direction of the western coast of Guangdong

Utor on Monday hit the northern Philippines, toppling power lines and dumping heavy rains across mountains, cities and food-growing plains. The storm killed at least one man in a landslide and left 45 fishermen missing.

Utor, described as the strongest globally so far this year, slammed ashore in mountainous eastern Aurora province with sustained winds of 175 kilometres per hour and gusts of up to 210 kph.

Footage from ABS-CBN TV network showed a woman swept away by a raging river in neighbouring Isabela province. The woman waves her hands for help as she struggles to hang on to debris while being buffeted by huge waves in the muddy waters. It was not immediately clear what happened to her.