Death toll from Typhoon Trami in Philippines climbs to 20

The death toll from Typhoon Trami, also locally known as tropical Storm Kristine, has climbed to 20 as thousands of people have been affected by heavy rain and flood, local media said on Thursday.

Heavy rain and flood hit several regions, including Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Caraga and Bangsamoro on Wednesday and killed several people while seven others are still missing, GMA Regional TV reported, citing local police.

Heavy rainfall from the storm has turned streets into rivers, inundated entire villages, and triggered landslides.

According to Civil Defense Philippines, the storm caused significant impacts across Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Caraga and Bangsamoro regions and affected around 2,07 million people.

"The storm has led to flooding in 143 areas, triggered 17 landslides, resulted in one vehicular incident, and uprooted four trees," it said in a statement on Facebook.

The storm has also severely impacted the transport system across regions as over 250 roads and 40 bridges were damaged by the flood and heavy rain.

It also affected power supply system in several regions and flights were also cancelled at two airports in Mimaropa.

Authorities shut down schools in some areas and declared a province-wide state of calamity. Thousands of people have been shifted to safe locations.

Typhoon Trami is strengthening its intensity, and is expected to enter the South China Sea Thursday evening.

The typhoon could bring heavy rainfall and strong wind in China's southernmost island province of Hainan, the country's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.Heavy rain and winds are also expected in parts of northern and northeastern Taiwan from today.

Local authorities in India's eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal also evacuated thousands of people from coastal areas as Cyclone Dana is approaching the states.