The death toll from Typhoon Rai that battered the Philippines this week has climbed to at least 144, local officials said on Sunday.
Manila: The death toll from Typhoon Rai that battered the Philippines this week has climbed to at least 144, local officials said on Sunday. Bohol province in the central Philippines is the worst-hit with 72 deaths, while Negros Occidental reported 18, Cebu 16, Dinagat Islands 10, Southern Leyte six, among others. The number of deaths is likely to rise as local officials gather data from the field. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has yet to update its death tally after saying on Saturday night it had received reports of 31 deaths in central and southern Philippines due to Rai. Communications are still down in typhoon-ravaged areas, making it difficult for the NDRRMC to contact its regional and provincial agencies. Bohol Governor Arthur Yap said his province has tallied 72 deaths as reports trickle in from the field. “Presently, communications are still down.
