Death toll from Philippines floods increases to 32

Manila, Dec 29 (EFE).- The death toll from floods in the Philippines has risen to 32, officials said on Thursday, as rescuers look for 24 people missing after torrential rains triggered landslides across the archipelago over the weekend.

Northern Mindanao is the worst-affected region, with 18 people killed, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).

At least six persons were killed in Bicol, a coastal district in the southeast of Luzon’s most populous island.

There were three deaths in Visayas, four in Zamboanga, and one in Caraga.

The national emergency team said at least 24 people were still missing.

The rains have forced more than 56,000 out of their homes and are putting up in evacuation centers.

The heavy rains have affected over 486,000 people.

The disaster marred Christmas celebrations in Asia’s most Catholic nation, where hundreds of thousands of Filipinos flock from urban centers to the provinces during the holidays.

Hit by 15–20 cyclones each year, the Philippines is among the nations most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. EFE

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