Deadly trail of destruction in Philippines as thousands are left homeless

Disaster zone: A child playing near uprooted coconut and banana trees in the coastal town of Dulag in Leyte province after Typhoon Rai hit the area. — AFP

AT least 12 people have died in the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, the disaster agency said, after the storm swept across the archipelago uprooting trees, toppling power poles and flooding villages.

More than 300,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Typhoon Rai pummelled the southern and central regions of the country yesterday, knocking out communications in some areas and tearing roofs off buildings.