At least 80 people have been reported killed in the fiercest typhoon that wreaked havoc in the Philippines last week. Officials estimate more people to be found dead as rescue operation
continues. Meanwhile, efforts to deliver water and food to the severely hit area has been ramped up, claimed officials on Sunday.
Typhoon Rai caused havoc on the archipelago's southern and central regions, forcing more than 300,000 people to flee their homes and beachside resorts.
The storm ripped off roofs, toppled concrete power poles and flooded villages, knocking off communications and electricity in several locations.
On his official Facebook page, Arthur Yap, governor of the renowned tourist destination Bohol, claimed that mayors on the devastated island had so far reported 63 deaths in their townships.
According to the most recent government numbers, this brings the total number of reported deaths to 89.
However, the death toll is expected to grow as disaster relief agencies assessed the full extent of the storm's death and destruction across the wide archipelago.
Rai, a super typhoon with wind speeds of 195 kilometres per hour (120 miles per hour), slammed into the country on Thursday.
Communication lines and electricity supply in Bohol were down two days after Rai slammed the island, according to Yap. In a video released to his Facebook account, he stated, "It is
extremely evident that the damage inflicted by Bohol is great and all-encompassing. In terms of wrecked homes and agricultural losses, people have suffered significantly."
The province is home to some of the country's most prominent tourist attractions, including the Loboc River which overflowed.
Thousands of military, police, coast guard and fire personnel have been dispatched to help with search and rescue operations in the worst-affected regions.
Heavy machinery, such as backhoes and front-end loaders, are being dispatched to help clear roads blocked by fallen power poles and trees, while the Coast Guard and naval vessels bringing
food, water and medical supplies are being dispatched.
Donations have been requested.
"Our people have suffered significantly," Yap said, citing an aerial survey of damage to parts of Bohol, which is known for its beaches, rolling "Chocolate Hills" and
tiny tarsier primates.
The islands of Siargao, Dinagat and Mindanao, which took the brunt of Rai when it crashed into the Philippines, have also been devastated.
The military shared aerial shots of serious damage in General Luna, Siargao, where many surfers and holidaymakers had come ahead of Christmas, with buildings stripped of roofs and debris
littering the ground.
On Sunday, tourists were evacuated off the island.
Governor Arlene Bag-ao of Dinagat on Saturday stated that the landscape damage was "reminiscent, if not worse," than that caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
In the Philippines, Haiyan, also known as Yolanda, was the deadliest typhoon on record that killed more than 7,300 people.