MANILA: The Philippines ordered evacuations ahead of Typhoon Usagi on Wednesday (Nov 13), as the UN disaster office sought US$32.9 million in aid for the country after storms that killed more than 150 people.

The northern Philippines was then hit again on Monday, this time by Typhoon Toraji. It has since eased in intensity but remains at tropical storm strength as it moves towards southern China, where it is expected to bring widespread heavy rain.

The last two typhoons and a tropical storm caused more than 160 deaths, damaged thousands of houses and farmlands and affected more than 9 million people, including hundreds of thousands who fled to emergency shelters, after dumping from one to two months’ worth of rain in just 24 hours in some cities and towns.