As many as 10,000 people are believed to have died in one Philippine city alone when one of the worst storms on record sent giant sea waves, washing away homes, schools and airport buildings.

Vietnam is evacuating nearly 300,000 people from northern coastal areas today as Tropical Storm Nock-ten approaches after leaving a path of destruction in the Philippines.

A typhoon that left dozens dead in the Philippines and two more dead in China weakened to a tropical storm today as it churned towards northern Vietnam, smashing boats in its path and lashing the region with rain and wind.

Typhoon Damrey slammed ashore in Vietnam today, knocking down trees and power lines after leaving nine people dead on China’s southern Hainan island, officials said.

The human cost of Asia’s bird flu crisis mounted today with Vietnam’s 21st case of the disease confirmed, while Singapore’s top health official moved to ease fears of travel in Asia by saying it was safe going to countries affected by the virus.