Typhoon Rai death toll rises as it exits Philippines, no power yet for millions

Residents salvage parts of their damaged homes following Typhoon Rai in Talisay, Cebu province, central Philippines on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. The strong typhoon engulfed villages in floods that trapped residents on roofs, toppled trees and knocked out power in southern and central island provinces, where more than 300,000 villagers had fled to safety before the onslaught, officials said. (- AP

MANILA, Dec 18 (Bloomberg): The strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year has killed at least 31 people after destroying homes, flooding villages and toppling power and communication lines as it cut across the country.

Rai, a super typhoon when it slammed into Siargao Island, a tourist and surfing destination in the southern Philippines, has forced at least 330,000 people to flee their homes across the country, authorities said.

It made landfall at least nine times as it moved over the archipelagic nation, bringing torrential rains and destructive winds before heading into the South China Sea on Saturday.