Death toll from 2 powerful storms in Philippines rises to 250

MANILA - The death toll in the Philippines from two successive powerful storms over the past week has risen to 250, while millions of people have been displaced, authorities said on Tuesday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday that Typhoon Kalmaegi, which made landfall on Nov 4, triggered massive flooding and mudslides in the central Philippines, leaving 232 people dead and 112 missing.

Most of the fatalities were reported in Cebu province, which is still reeling from a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit on Sept 30, the NDRRMC said.

Also on Tuesday, the Office of Civil Defense said Super Typhoon Fung-wong, which slammed into Luzon Island on Sunday, killed at least 18 people.

The two storms displaced millions of residents and destroyed homes, farms, and key infrastructure, including roads and bridges, officials said.

Fung-wong is the 21st tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, surpassing the country's annual average of 20 storms.