Death toll from Philippines Typhoon Rai tops 200
The death toll from Super Typhoon Rai in the Philippines has climbed to 208_ local media quoted police as saying on Monday.
According to the Philippine Star newspaper_ while 239 others are injured_ 52 are missing. Many are said to have died or wounded after being struck by fallen trees_ collapsed walls_ and other debris.
The super typhoon_ which reached a speed of 195 kilometers (121 miles) per hour_ caused power outages and serious destruction in the south-eastern islands.
Bicol_ Western Visayas_ Central Visayas_ Eastern Visayas_ Zamboanga Peninsula_ Davao_ Mimaropa_ and Caraga regions are most affected.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development said 1.8 million were affected in one way or the other.
Rescue and emergency assistant efforts are continuing_ and the government has announced $40 million in aid to deliver relief goods to people in the affected areas.
On average_ about 20 storms and typhoons strike the Southeast Asian country every year.
Super Typhoon Rai is said to be the most powerful to hit the country in 2021.
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