Twenty dead, thousands evacuated as Typhoon Rammasun heads for China

Typhoon Rammasun, known locally as Glenda, prompted the evacuation of almost 150,000 people, reports Radio Australia.

"I am happily surprised because of the minimal casualties and damage," Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson said, adding the typhoon had passed through the most populated area of the country, with about 17 million people living in its path.

Singson and Admiral Alexander Pama, the executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the government was more prepared this time, after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Haiyan in November, evacuating people at risk in coastal and landslide-prone areas well before the typhoon made landfall.