Death toll from Philippines typhoon climbs to 375

Toppled trees and structures are scattered due to Typhoon Rai in Siargao island, Surigao del Norte, southern Philippines (Office of the Vice President via AP)

The death toll from the strongest typhoon to batter the Philippines this year climbed to 375, with more than 50 others still missing and several central provinces struggling with downed communications and power outages and pleading for food and water, officials have said.

At its strongest, Typhoon Rai packed sustained winds of 121 miles per hour with gusts of up to 168mph before blowing out into the South China Sea on Friday.