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Philippine flood death toll rises Philippine flood death toll rises
(21 minutes later)
The Philippines government says 240 people are now known to have died in severe flooding caused when Tropical Storm Ketsana struck on Saturday.The Philippines government says 240 people are now known to have died in severe flooding caused when Tropical Storm Ketsana struck on Saturday.
The country has appealed for foreign aid to deal with the disaster, which has displaced 450,000 people and left 380,000 living in makeshift shelters.The country has appealed for foreign aid to deal with the disaster, which has displaced 450,000 people and left 380,000 living in makeshift shelters.
President Gloria Arroyo has opened the grounds of her palace for use as an evacuation and aid distribution centre.President Gloria Arroyo has opened the grounds of her palace for use as an evacuation and aid distribution centre.
The storm has now hit Vietnam, where at least 22 people are said to have died.The storm has now hit Vietnam, where at least 22 people are said to have died.
In pictures: Relief effort Eyewitness: Philippines floodsIn pictures: Relief effort Eyewitness: Philippines floods
The Vietnamese government earlier ordered the evacuation of more than 100,000 people as strong winds of up to 150km/h (93mph) and heavy rain began to affect the country's central coast.The Vietnamese government earlier ordered the evacuation of more than 100,000 people as strong winds of up to 150km/h (93mph) and heavy rain began to affect the country's central coast.
Local media report that Ketsana, which has now strengthened into a typhoon, has caused flooding and power cuts. Vietnam Airlines has suspended all flights to the coastal cities of Danang and Hue.Local media report that Ketsana, which has now strengthened into a typhoon, has caused flooding and power cuts. Vietnam Airlines has suspended all flights to the coastal cities of Danang and Hue.
Weather forecasters are predicting more heavy rain later this week.Weather forecasters are predicting more heavy rain later this week.
Fragile situationFragile situation
"Evacuees will be given shelter in available areas among the Malacanang [palace] buildings and in tents that will be put up in between the buildings," Philippines President Arroyo said in a statement announcing the opening of the palace compound on Tuesday."Evacuees will be given shelter in available areas among the Malacanang [palace] buildings and in tents that will be put up in between the buildings," Philippines President Arroyo said in a statement announcing the opening of the palace compound on Tuesday.
She said that if required, palace employees would "yield their work stations to provide more space for our displaced countrymen".She said that if required, palace employees would "yield their work stations to provide more space for our displaced countrymen".
FROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World ServiceFROM BBC WORLD SERVICE More from BBC World Service
After word of the offer spread, hundreds of people converged on the palace and received plastic bags filled with noodles and canned sardines.After word of the offer spread, hundreds of people converged on the palace and received plastic bags filled with noodles and canned sardines.
"We just heard it in the news that they are giving relief goods at the palace so we walked for one hour," street sweeper Rosette Serrano, 31, told the AFP news agency."We just heard it in the news that they are giving relief goods at the palace so we walked for one hour," street sweeper Rosette Serrano, 31, told the AFP news agency.
Ms Serrano lost everything except her clothes when her house was submerged on Saturday.Ms Serrano lost everything except her clothes when her house was submerged on Saturday.
But officials said people would not be permitted to remain inside the presidential compound unless they were first checked by aid organisations.But officials said people would not be permitted to remain inside the presidential compound unless they were first checked by aid organisations.
"We cannot just allow every evacuee in because of logistical and security problems," Wilfredo Oca, an aid to Mrs Arroyo, told AFP."We cannot just allow every evacuee in because of logistical and security problems," Wilfredo Oca, an aid to Mrs Arroyo, told AFP.
The sharp rise in the death toll - up 100 from the previous figure - came after more than 90 deaths were recorded in Manila, the National Disaster Co-ordinating Council said in a statement.The sharp rise in the death toll - up 100 from the previous figure - came after more than 90 deaths were recorded in Manila, the National Disaster Co-ordinating Council said in a statement.
The toll is expected to rise further as thick mud is cleared from the worst affected parts of the city.The toll is expected to rise further as thick mud is cleared from the worst affected parts of the city.
AppealAppeal
Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the situation could become worse if aid supplies ran out.Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the situation could become worse if aid supplies ran out.
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Many people have been left with nothing but what they are wearingMany people have been left with nothing but what they are wearing
Earlier, Mr Teodoro appealed for humanitarian assistance from the international community.Earlier, Mr Teodoro appealed for humanitarian assistance from the international community.
"We are trying our level best to provide basic necessities, but the potential for a more serious situation is there," he said, in a nationally televised address."We are trying our level best to provide basic necessities, but the potential for a more serious situation is there," he said, in a nationally televised address.
"We cannot wait for that to happen.""We cannot wait for that to happen."
Mr Teodoro said troops, police and volunteers had so far been able to rescue more than 7,900 people.Mr Teodoro said troops, police and volunteers had so far been able to rescue more than 7,900 people.
AT THE SCENE Alastair Leithead, BBC News, ManilaAT THE SCENE Alastair Leithead, BBC News, Manila
After the big storm comes the big clean up. A thick layer of mud was left behind by the receding floodwaters. Hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes - on Monday many were drifting back to see what was salvageable.After the big storm comes the big clean up. A thick layer of mud was left behind by the receding floodwaters. Hundreds of thousands of people fled their homes - on Monday many were drifting back to see what was salvageable.
At the National Disaster Management Centre brand new rubber boats were being loaded onto trucks, but the search and rescue operation is now over - it is about getting the essentials to those whose homes are inhabitable.At the National Disaster Management Centre brand new rubber boats were being loaded onto trucks, but the search and rescue operation is now over - it is about getting the essentials to those whose homes are inhabitable.
There was more rain, but nothing like that dropped by the typhoon, but as the number of dead and missing increases people are watching, worried, over fears another storm could be heading this way. More from Alastair LeitheadThere was more rain, but nothing like that dropped by the typhoon, but as the number of dead and missing increases people are watching, worried, over fears another storm could be heading this way. More from Alastair Leithead
The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) is sending food supplies for 180,000 people to the Philippines.The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) is sending food supplies for 180,000 people to the Philippines.
WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran said the organisation would support the Philippines to ensure a "swift and co-ordinated recovery effort".WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran said the organisation would support the Philippines to ensure a "swift and co-ordinated recovery effort".
Rescue workers are continuing to pull bodies from the mud and swollen rivers.Rescue workers are continuing to pull bodies from the mud and swollen rivers.
But the BBC's Alastair Leithead in Manila says the rescue operation is now focusing on getting supplies to those who have been displaced.But the BBC's Alastair Leithead in Manila says the rescue operation is now focusing on getting supplies to those who have been displaced.
Ketsana, with winds of up to 100km/h (62mph), hit the Philippines early on Saturday, crossing the main northern Luzon island before heading out toward the South China Sea.Ketsana, with winds of up to 100km/h (62mph), hit the Philippines early on Saturday, crossing the main northern Luzon island before heading out toward the South China Sea.
Over the weekend, the government declared a "state of calamity" in Manila and the 25 storm-hit provinces, including many that have not experienced widespread flooding before, allowing access to emergency funds.Over the weekend, the government declared a "state of calamity" in Manila and the 25 storm-hit provinces, including many that have not experienced widespread flooding before, allowing access to emergency funds.
Officials say more than 40cm (16in) of rain fell on Manila within 12 hours on Saturday, exceeding the 39cm average for the whole month of September.Officials say more than 40cm (16in) of rain fell on Manila within 12 hours on Saturday, exceeding the 39cm average for the whole month of September.
Are you in Vietnam or the Philippines? Have you been affected by the floods? Send us your comments.Are you in Vietnam or the Philippines? Have you been affected by the floods? Send us your comments.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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