Philippine death toll from typhoon rises to 23

Residents ride on makeshift rafts during a heavy downpour along a flooded street in Malabon, Metro Manila August 1, 2012. Typhoon Saola (Gener) is likely to stay in Philippine territory until Friday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Wednesday. [Photo/Agencies]

MANILA - Twenty three people died and over 300,000 displaced as typhoon Saola (local name: Gener) continues to move away from the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said Thursday that some of the fatalities died from drowning as the rivers overflowed due to heavy rains. Others sustained head injuries after they were hit by falling trees.

Saola, which is expected to leave the country Friday morning, also damaged 2,785 houses, destroyed 2.13 billion pesos ($51.08 million) worth of crops, livestock and fisheries and closed 29 roads and three bridges.

State weather forecasters said as of 10 am, local time, the center of typhoon Saola was located 370 kilometers north northwest of Basco, Batanes. It is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon that will bring rains and strong winds over Luzon and Western Visayas islands.