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Philippines storm triggers deadly flash floods Philippines storm triggers deadly flash floods
(40 minutes later)
Flash floods have killed at least 60 people as a tropical storm rages across the Philippines, officials say. A tropical storm has killed at least 130 people in the Philippines, with flash floods leaving many others missing, officials say.
Most of the victims were on southern Mindanao island, around Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro, media reported. Most of the victims were on the southern island of Mindanao, around Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro.
Many more people are said to be missing and thousands of others have fled to higher ground. Tens of thousands of people have fled to higher ground, the authorities say.
Benito Ramos, head of the national disaster rescue agency, said reports were still coming in and the death toll was expected to rise. Benito Ramos, head of the national disaster rescue agency, said reports were still coming in and the casualty figures could rise.
One unconfirmed report put the death toll at 119. Mr Ramos said the floodwaters had risen alarmingly fast overnight as people slept.
Mr Ramos said 25mm of rain had fallen in 24 hours, causing rivers to burst their banks. "Massive flooding had been reported over the region, especially in Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City," he said
He said the victims included at least nine people in a single village in Lanao del Norte province as floodwaters struck in the middle of the night, trapping many residents in their homes. Rivers burst their banks after 25mm of rain fell in 24 hours.
"Massive flooding had been reported over the region, especially in Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro City," he said, adding that tens of thousands of people had escaped to high ground. Large areas were left without power and some domestic flights were cancelled as winds of up to 90 km/h (55mph) swept across the island.
A landslide killed at least five people in the east of the island, reports said.
A military spokesman, Colonel Leopoldo Galon, said an entire army division - some 10,000 soldiers - was involved in the rescue efforts around Cagayan de Oro.
Nearly 100 dead bodies - most of them children - had already been found in the city, officials say.
Forecasters said the eye of Tropical Storm Washi had passed close to Dipolog City, west of Iligan City, early on Saturday and it was now heading out into the Sulu Sea.Forecasters said the eye of Tropical Storm Washi had passed close to Dipolog City, west of Iligan City, early on Saturday and it was now heading out into the Sulu Sea.
Search for bodiesSearch for bodies
Iligan Mayor Lawrence Cruz said floods had swamped at least 10 villages on the city's outskirts. Floods had swamped at least 10 villages on Iligan's outskirts, said the city's mayor, Lawrence Cruz.
He said the coast guard and other rescuers were scouring the waters off the coastal city for survivors or bodies. The coast guard and other rescuers were scouring the waters off the coastal city for survivors or bodies, he added.
"It happened so fast, at a time when people were fast asleep," he told GMA television. GMA television broadcast dramatic footage of a family escaping their flood-hit home by climbing through a window.
GMA broadcast dramatic footage of a family escaping their flood-hit home by climbing through a window.
Rescue workers were pictured helping survivors to safety in chest-deep floodwater.Rescue workers were pictured helping survivors to safety in chest-deep floodwater.
Three people also drowned in Polanco town in Zamboanga del Norte province, said provincial disaster officer Dennis Tenorio. He said high winds had toppled trees.Three people also drowned in Polanco town in Zamboanga del Norte province, said provincial disaster officer Dennis Tenorio. He said high winds had toppled trees.
The Philippines are struck by several major storms every year. The storm is set to hit the western island of Palawan later on Saturday, after crossing the Sulu Sea with winds of up to 75 km/h, according to state weather forecasters.
The Philippines are struck by about 20 major storms every year.
Typhoons Nesat and Nalgae battered the country within days of each other in September, leaving more than 100 people dead.Typhoons Nesat and Nalgae battered the country within days of each other in September, leaving more than 100 people dead.
Are you in the Philippines? Have you been affected by the storms? You can share your experiences and thoughts by filling in the form below.Are you in the Philippines? Have you been affected by the storms? You can share your experiences and thoughts by filling in the form below.
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