As Typhoon Phanfone, locally known as Typhoon Ursula, lashed the central Philippines on Christmas Day, it killed at least 16 people and over six have been missing, causing damage to homes and tourist areas.
It first made landfall on Eastern Samar province on Tuesday, bringing heavy rain and storm surges. It hit as the equivalent of a Category 1 hurricane, packing sustained wind speeds of 150 kilometers per hour, with gusts of 195 kilometers per hour.
As of Thursday morning, the Philippine weather agency, PAGASA, said that Phanfone was reported 155 kilometres west of the province of Palawan, with maximum winds of up to 130 kilometres per hour and gustiness of up to 160 kilometres per hour.
ALSO READ: Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu rushed to safety after rocket attacks at his campaign
The typhoon brought a wet and miserable season to many who were holidaying in the island nation and stranded thousands as dozens of flights were cancelled.
Local authorities had started evacuating people in risky areas to safer government facilities before the typhoon made landfall on Tuesday afternoon in Eastern Samar province.
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 during the rainy season, especially when a typhoon hits the island country.
(With agency inputs)