MANILA — A typhoon that barreled through the northern Philippines left at least 38 people dead and knocked out power in entire provinces and forced more than half a million people to flee its lethal wind and rains, officials said Thursday. Most businesses, malls and banks in the Philippine capital reopened a day after Typhoon Rammasun left the country but schools remained closed Thursday as workers cleaned up storm debris, which littered roads around Manila, slowing traffic.

The eye of the typhoon made a late shift away from Manila on Wednesday, but its peak winds of 150 kph and gusts up to 185 kph toppled trees and electric posts and ripped off roofs across the capital. Although Rammasun packed far less power than Typhoon Haiyan, haunting memories of last year’s horrific storm devastation prompted many villagers to rapidly move. Alexander Pama, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council said at least 38 people died in the wake of the typhoon and 10 were reported missing.

 
[wpResize]