Philippines typhoon death toll rises
October 19, 2015
Typhoon Koppu swept across the northern Philippines producing torrential rains and flash floods, which have left at least nine people dead and tens of thousands displaced.
The typhoon, which hit the country's main island Luzon on Sunday, left several towns and villages isolated due to floods and debris blocking roads.
"We haven't reached many areas. About 60 to 70 percent of our town is flooded, some as deep as 10 feet (3 meters). There are about 20,000 residents in isolated areas that need food and water," said Henry Velarde, the deputy mayor of Jaen town, north of Manila.
At least nine people have been killed since the typhoon made landfall early Sunday. The Philippines' national disaster agency said two died from falling trees.
Meanwhile, seven people were killed when a boat carrying 36 passengers and five crew members capsized, the coast guard reported, adding that 32 survivors were recovered.
Nearly 183,000 people were evacuated from areas prone to landslides and floods prior to the storm arrival, the national disaster agency said.
Around 6,500 passengers were grounded after dozens of flights were cancelled.
Typhoon Koppu was downgraded to a category one on Monday after making landfall as a category four.
On average, 20 typhoons hit the Philippines annually, many of them fatal.
ls/jm (Reuters, AFP, AP, dpa)