Philippines storm toll hits 10, nearly 200,000 displaced

The death toll from tropical storm Fung-Wong rose to 10 in the Philippines, with nearly 200,000 people displaced, the national disaster relief agency said on Sunday.

Seven of the victims drowned, two were electrocuted and one died from a head injury after slipping in a creek, the agency said.

The storm triggered widespread floods in Manila and northern provinces, forcing more than 197,000 people to flee their homes and stay in evacuation centres.

Schools, government offices and financial markets in Manila were shut due to the floods, which reached up to 2 metres in some areas.

The storm caused damage to agriculture and infrastructure worth more than 144 million pesos (3.2 million dollars), the agency said.

The weather bureau said Fung-Wong had weakened, packing maximum winds of 85 kph and gusts of 100 kph, as it moved away from the Philippines.