MANILA, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from Typhoon Phanfone that pounded the central Philippines with heavy rain and strong winds beginning on Tuesday climbed to 21, the country's government said on Friday.
The Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said nine died in Iloilo, four in Capiz, one in Southern Leyte, two in Leyte, one in Biliran, three in Eastern Samar and one in Samar, provinces in the central Philippines.
At least 10 more are missing, the NDRRMC added.
Typhoon Phanfone, which made landfall on Tuesday afternoon in Eastern Samar province, left a trail of destruction as it swept across the central Philippines and areas off the southern tip of the main Luzon island. Huge flooding was reported in many affected areas.
The disaster agency said nearly 186,000 people in 584 villages in the central Philippines and northern Mindanao region have been affected by the typhoon.
More than 2,000 houses and 55 schoolhouses were damaged by the typhoon, the agency said.
Some 150 domestic and international flights have been canceled due to the typhoon from Tuesday until Friday.
Phanfone is the 21st typhoon to barrel the Philippines this year.
The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world mainly due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire and Pacific typhoon belt. Landslides and flash floods are common across the Philippines during the rainy season, especially when typhoon hits. 、
