THE death toll in the worst flooding in northern Philippines in four decades brought by typhoon Ondoy has reached 100, and may continue to rise.
As of press time, authorities were simply overwhelmed trying to verify scores of unconfirmed deaths, missing persons and those still awaiting rescue, said reports.
Rescuers still need to penetrate villages blocked off by floating cars and debris since Ondoy, internationally named Ketsana swept through over the weekend.
The government has declared a “state of calamity” in metropolitan Manila and 25 storm-hit provinces, including many that have not flooded before, allowing officials to use emergency funds for relief and rescue.
More than 450,000 people were affected by the storm, including some 115,000 brought to about 200 schools, churches and other evacuation shelters, officials said. Troops, police and volunteers have been able to rescue more than 7,900 people so far, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said. (PIA)