Storm Kai-tak pounds Philippines, leaving over 30 dead and dozens missing

Typhoon forces over 89,000 to flee their homes and leaves 15,000 holidaymakers stranded.

Over 30 people have died and dozens are missing after typhoon Kai-tak pounded a central province in the Philippines.

The slow-moving storm hit the island province of Biliran on Sunday (17 December), triggering landslides and severe flooding. It weakened to a tropical depression after passing through the eastern region of Visayas.

At least 32 people are reported to have died and dozens have gone missing in the province.

More than 89,000 people have been forced to flee to emergency shelters, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

The entire province is reportedly without power and the water supply is significantly reduced.

"Rocks as big as cars fell on concrete houses after three days of continuous, heavy rain," chief inspector Lilibeth Morillo told AFP.

More than 15,000 holidaymakers were left stranded after inter-island ferries and flights were cancelled due to heavy rainfall and winds of 55km (34 miles) per hour.

Video footage and photos shared on social media showed the extent of the devastation.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to visit the worst-hit areas on Monday afternoon (18 December).

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-hit countries in the world, with an average of around 20 typhoons and storms each year. In 2013, the same region was hit by typhoon Haiyan and more than 5,000 people were killed.