11.26.2007 7:09 AM

Typhoon Mitag: Philippines Battered, Taiwan Braces

At Least 8 Have Died in Landslides and Flash Floods

Graphic shows Tropical Storm Hagibis, which made a U-turn and is expected to hit the Philippines a second time.

Tropical Storm Hagibis made a U-turn and is expected to hit the Philippines a second time.

Photo: Joint Typhoon Warning Center

By Dan Shapley

At least eight people have died after a strong typhoon, Mitag, battered the Philippines this weekend and Monday.

The storm struck with Category 1 hurricane strength, and it remains a weak Category 1 hurricane as it continues on toward Taiwan, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. It is, however, expected to lose strength over the next few hours and days. It is not expected to make landfall on Taiwan directly, but the sea is treacherous, and Taiwan has issued warnings reflecting that.

Typhoon Mitag was the second deadly storm to strike the Philippines in the space of a few days. The first, Tropical Storm Hagibis (also called Lando) made a remarkable U-turn after passing the Philippines, and is expected to make a second landfall there late tomorrow.

Scientists still debate whether and how hurricanes -- also called typhoons or cyclones in different parts of the world -- are or will be affected by global warming. While observational data is in some cases inconsistent, computer models predict increased intensity as the oceans warm up.

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