More than 200 dead after typhoon slams Philippines

The death toll rose to more than 200 following the strongest typhoon to batter the Philippines this year, with 52 people still missing and several central towns and provinces pleading for food and water, officials said Monday.

Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte flew to the region on Saturday and promised 40 million USD in new aid. More than 700,000 people were lashed by the typhoon in central island provinces, including more than 400,000 who had to be moved to emergency shelters.

At least 227 cities and towns lost electricity, which has since been restored in only 21 areas, officials said, adding three regional airports were damaged, including two that remain closed. About 20 storms and typhoons annually batter the Philippines, which lies between the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea.