Manila: At least five people were killed when a powerful typhoon pounded the Philippines, media reports said on Friday. Ricardo Jalad, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) Executive Director, said man from the northern region of Mindanao in Southern Philippines died after a fallen tree hit him.
Four others died in areas hit by typhoon Rai. The NDRRMC said these deaths are being verified, reports Xinhua news agency.
Rai, the 15th powerful cyclone to batter the Philippines, made landfall on Thursday afternoon, unleashing fierce winds and heavy rains that triggered flash floods that left villages submerged. On Friday, the weather bureau said Rai was spotted 155 km away from Puerto Princesa city in Palawan province. It is forecast to exit the Philippines on Saturday.
Rai also felled trees, damaged roads, destroyed houses and buildings and caused a massive power outage in the central and southern Philippines. The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) used rubber boats and ropes to evacuate people.
