COLOMBO(news1st): Super Typhoon Rai is the most powerful typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.

Close to 208 people have died after the catastrophic typhoon struck the Philippines last Thursday (16), according to foreign media reports.

Super Typhoon Rai hit the country’s south-eastern islands, which sent 300,000 people fleeing for safety, with winds of up to 195km/h (120mph).

At least 239 people were injured, and 52 others have gone missing, according to local police.

Search and rescue efforts continue as the death toll mounts, as thousands of military, coast guard and fire personnel have been deployed in the country’s worst-affected areas to assist with search and rescue efforts.

Establishing the magnitude of the loss and damage caused by the typhoon is difficult to gauge, since communication to several areas has been cut off.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has conducted an aerial inspection of the areas ravaged by the storm.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched an emergency appeal seeking 20 million Swiss francs (£16m; $22m) to fund long-term relief efforts.

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