Philippines: Typhoon Bopha death toll crosses 475

Zeenews Bureau

Bali: The death toll from Typhoon Pablo that swept through the southern Philippines Tuesday has crossed 475, agencies reported on Thursday. Bringing in torrential rains and high winds, Typhoon Bopha unleashed heavy destruction in southern Philippines. Typhoon Bopha struck Mindanao island on Tuesday leading to flash floods which further engulfed places like village hall and schools where people were sheltering from the storm. Pablo, said to be among the strongest to hit the south of the country in the past 20 years, made landfall on the east coast of Mindanao Island, home to 10 million people, early Tuesday. The typhoon brought gusts of up to 210 kmph and heavy rain. Communications and power supplies have been cut across vast areas of the island. The typhoon grounded over 150 flights and over 4,000 of ferry passengers are still stranded at ports.