Two people were killed and more than 3,000 others were forced toevacuate their homes as Typhoon Noul slammed into the Cagayan provincein the northeastern Philippines on May 10, according to the country’snational disaster agency.

By May 11, the typhoon weakenedslightly after hitting land with sustained winds of 160 kilometres perhour and gusts up to 195 kilometres per hour.

It's forecast to move north in the direction of the southern Japan with a speed of 19 kilometres per hour.

The Philippines’ authorities said they evacuated about 3,400 residentsin the Cagayan and Isabela provinces ahead of the typhoon's arrival.

Several hundred people living the restive Bulusan volcano onLuzon island, who were evacuated due to fears of flows of mud and debrisafter the volcano spewed ash twice last week, returned home safely onMay 10.

Although causing damage, Noul also provided neededrains to the country’s largest corn-producing province of Isabela after adry spell in the region.

About 20 storms and typhoons hit thePhilippines annually. The strongest on record to make landfall –typhoon Haiyan – devastated the central Philippines in 2013,claiming about 8,000 lives.

Authorities in Taiwan (China) onMay 10 evacuated almost 1,000 tourists from an island off the southeastcoast of the Green island and warned sailors of strong winds and highwaves as Noul was expected to pass through the island.

Allferries and flights to Green Island and another tourist attraction,Orchid Island, were suspended and people were urged to stay away fromcoastal areas.-VNA