Typhoon Koppu weakens, heads for Japan after killing 26 in Philippines

A boy wades through a flooded street in Jaen, Nueva Ecija in northern Philippines October 20, 2015, after the province was hit by Typhoon Koppu. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

CASIGURAN, Philippines (Reuters) - A typhoon that dumped heavy rains on the northern Philippines, killing 26 people as it flattened houses and destroyed crops, weakened on Wednesday before heading towards southern Japan.

Weather officials warned ferries and fishermen against going to sea as typhoon Koppu, packing winds of 55 kph (34 mph), moved northeast towards Japan's Ryukyu islands, at a speed of 6 kph (4 mph).