At least 17 people have died in the typhoon that unleashed torrents of rain and strong winds since Monday, causing serious damage in southern Luzon and central Philippine Samar provinces, the country's police and disaster agencies reports said on Wednesday.
Typhoon Kammuri weakened into a severe tropical storm on Wednesday, according to the state weather bureau Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
In its 10:00 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Kammuri continues to move west-northwest at 15 km per hour (kph) as it heads to the South China Sea.
Reports culled by the police and regional disaster agencies said 17 have died from the typhoon -- three in Camarines Sur province, two in Sorsogon province, five in Oriental Mindoro province, two in Marinduque province, one in Leyte province, one in Batangas province and three in Quezon province.
The reports said the victims died of drowning, electrocution, fallen trees or branches, lightning strike and heart attack.
At least 18 were injured and at least two were missing, the reports added.
Xinhua
