ROUGH CUT - NO REPORTER NARRATION
Typhoon Nesat pounded northern Philippine provinces and the capital on Tuesday, packing strong winds and intensifying monsoon rains that have toppled trees and flooded parts of Manila.
Nesat, with maximum winds of 140 kph near the center and gusts of up to 170 kph, made landfall in Aurora province, north of the capital early on Tuesday. It is forecast to move west northwest at 19 kph.
Waves from Manila Bay swelled and flooded a seaside boulevard, stranding commuters.
Flood waters rose in low areas, and alarm levels have been raised as rivers began overflowing in Manila.
Philippine financial markets were shut, and government work and school classes were suspended due to the typhoon.
A 22-month-old boy drowned when he fell off a creek while at least four people were reported missing in the wake of the typhoon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said in its latest update.