The first typhoon of the Philippines' rainy season Rammasun shut down the capital on July 16, killing at least 11 people and forcing over 370,000 to evacuate.

Wind gusts of up to 250 kmph ripped down trees, tore roofs off houses and damaged roads, leaving 65 domestic and international flights cancelled.

Philippine President Benigno Aquino also cancelled his attendance at the opening of the Asia crisis management and national defence-security exhibition in Pasay city to monitor the situation.

His spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the government will offer help to the displaced and restore electricity in affected areas.

In the afternoon, the typhoon headed to the East Sea, then tracked towards southern China, according to the Philippine national weather service.

The Philippines is hit by about 20 major storms a year, many of them deadly.

In November, super Typhoon Haiyan devastated Samar and neighbouring Leyte island, killing up to 7,300 people in one of the nation's worst natural disasters.-VNA