SAIPAN?Asia-Pacific nations, reeling from a series of deadly natural disasters, appeared to have been spared the latest typhoon heading into the area, forecasters said.

Typhoon Melor was listed at "near Super Typhoon intensity" as it raced towards Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands but veered away before reaching land, the US Navy's Joint Typhoon Warning Center said.

The Guam Weather Service said that although the typhoon warning was cancelled, residents were urged to avoid coastal areas because of the threat of high surf and strong currents.

In the Northern Marianas, the Saipan Tribune reported that hundreds of people fled to evacuation shelters before Melor headed away from land.

Meanwhile, Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau has warned that Typhoon Parma may be approaching the island after killing at least 15 people in the northern Philippines.