1.   Shortages of rice, corn, and other commodities, plus distribution bottleneckes caused by typhoons, drove prices higher.

2.   But the fatalities so far are fewer than those caused by typhoons of similar strength in the past.

3.   Lorenzo said, however, that recent typhoons could cause inflationary pressures over the next two months.

4.   Typhoon causes extensive damage in north.

5.   Flooding this year, caused by typhoons hitting central Vietnam, has exceeded all previous records.