(UPDATE) 21 people dead due to 'Ruby': Red Cross

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - At least 21 people were killed in central Philippines due to typhoon Hagupit (locally known as Ruby), the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) said today.

Red Cross Secretary General Gwendolyn Pang said that 16 fatalities came from Borongan, Eastern Samar Province; one each in provinces of Northern Samar and Samar; and three in Iloilo Province.

Most of the victims were drowned after flash floods occurred, PRC said.

Included in the Red Cross' head count were the two people who died due to hypothermia and were officially reported by the state- run National Disaster Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

Classes at all levels and government work in three regions including Metro Manila were suspended on Monday as Hagupit is expected to affect the metropolis later in the day.

Hagupit has weakened and was downgraded to tropical storm, the state weather forecasting agency said.