Manila, Rabi'I 08, 1437, December 19, 2015, SPA -- The death toll rose to 34 from a powerful typhoon that pummeled the Philippines for three days this week, with at least five people missing, the government said Saturday according to dpa. Most of the deaths from Typhoon Melor were caused by drowning or flying debris, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The agency said more than 160,000 houses were destroyed or damaged by the storm. Economic losses were estimated at about 40 million dollars. The typhoon left a large portion of eastern and central Philippines without communication and power. Some regions have been unaccessible to rescuers, the agency said. President Benigno Aquino III declared state of calamity in affected areas in order to facilitate the delivery of assistance to the victims. The weather bureau warned against flash floods and landslides from continuing rains. --SPA 11:01 LOCAL TIME 08:01 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w