Philippines flood death toll passes 650

The death toll from the floods in the southern Philippines has passed 650 as rescue operations continue for the survivors of the deadly disaster.

Philippine’s National Red Cross warned that the number of the victims of the flash floods could climb further as hundreds of people are still missing in the country’s flood-ravaged region.

“The [fatalities in the] worst-hit cities of Cagayan de Oro and nearby Iligan on Mindanao Island accounted for 434 of the deaths,”‌ Secretary General of the Philippine National Red Cross Gwendolyn Pang said in a statement.

The disaster has left many trapped in their homes, with thousands stranded in evacuation centers.

Tropical storm Washi swept through the north coast of the island of Mindanao in southern Philippines on Friday and early Saturday, bringing heavy rains that inundated the area.

Most of the victims were asleep Friday night when massive floodwaters hit the island after 12 hours of rain.

Local television footage showed muddy water rushing in the streets, sweeping away all sorts of debris. Thick layers of mud coated streets where water had subsided.

The flood also grounded some domestic flights and cut electricity lines to wide areas.

An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year, often causing death and destruction.

In September, back-to-back typhoons left more than 100 people dead in northern Philippines.

Source: irib.ir