THE death toll from the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year has risen to 18 as the disaster agency warned Saturday of "severe damage" in the hardest-hit areas.

More than 300,000 people fled their homes and beachfront resorts as Typhoon "Odette" (international name: Rai) ravaged the southern and central regions of the country, knocking out communications in many areas and toppling concrete power poles.

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