This archive report was first published on 29 December 2019.
Published on December 29, 2019, a powerful storm, Typhoon Phanfone, also known as Ursula, left the Philippines after devastating several islands in the central Visayas.
The storm, which was the 21st cyclone to hit the storm-prone Philippines, caused widespread destruction, damaging over 260,000 houses and forcing almost a hundred thousand people to flee to emergency shelters.
According to the national disaster agency, the death toll from the storm climbed to 41, including three boat crew who died after their vessel capsized due to strong winds, a policeman electrocuted by a toppled post, and a man struck by a felled tree.
"We're hoping that there will be no more fatalities," national disaster agency spokesman Mark Timbal told AFP, with authorities still searching for 12 people missing.
The government estimated that the storm has caused damage to agriculture and infrastructure worth $21 million.
Power lines and internet connections remain down in some areas after Phanfone's powerful wind gusts of up to 200 kilometres (124 miles) per hour toppled electric posts and trees.
