As rescue operations proceeded following one of the worst typhoons to hit the Southeast Asian nation, police-reported scores of people were still lost.
MANILA, Philippines (AP) – The death count in the Philippines from Typhoon Rai has increased to 208, according to a federal police spokeswoman, just after storms wreaked havoc in central and southern regions late last week.
According to police statistics, 52 individuals still remained missing as rescue work proceeded after one of the worst typhoons to hit the Southeast Asian continent.
According to federal police spokesperson Roderick Alba, the officers have been deployed for humanitarian efforts and to regulate in disaster-stricken areas.
The number of civilians dying, according to authorities, was significantly greater than the 58 dead reported by the national crisis organization thus far. The organization stated that it was currently confirming information from the impacted areas.
Over 50 % of cases recorded by police occurred in the central Visayas area, which includes the state of Bohol, which is home to many of the top tourist attractions, especially dive sites.
Governor Arthur Yap of Bohol confirmed 74 fatalities in his region on Sunday, claiming incomplete reports confirmed by both the department of health and local governmental agencies.
Relief efforts have accelerated, but communication and electricity lines have yet to be repaired in most of the affected regions, hindering relief efforts.
Before moving into the South China Sea over through the weekends, Rai had evacuated about 490,000 individuals in the Philippines, as well as wreaking havoc in the regions of Cebu, Leyte, and Surigao del Norte, such as the renowned Siargao surfing destination, as well as the Dinagat Islands.
President Rodrigo Duterte has pledged to transfer approximately 2 billion pesos ($40 million) to typhoon-affected areas to aid with rehabilitation operations.
