Typhoon Koppu kills 43 in Philippines

The toll from typhoon Koppu in the Philippines has risen to 43 while 78 people were reported injured in the northern part of the country, the state disaster management agency said on Thursday.

The casualties came from six regions in Luzon, including Metro Manila, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said.

More than 268,800 families or about 1.24 million people were affected by the weather disturbance and they were either being housed in evacuation centres or outside, Xinhua news agency reported.

Power disruptions were still being experienced in six cities and 90 municipalities.

According to the agency, five cities and 21 municipalities suspended classes on Thursday.

The damage to agriculture and infrastructure was estimated at $161.99 million.

Koppu made landfall in Luzon island in the early hours of Sunday at super typhoon strength, ripping the roofs off buildings and uprooting trees in the coastal province of Aurora.