Death toll in Philippines flood rises drastically
Death toll in Philippines flood rises drastically
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By Sarah Garrod. |  |
Tuesday, 29, Sep 2009 09:53
By Richard James.
Officials in the Philippines believe at least 240 people have now died in the worst floods to hit the country in decades.
The flooding, causing by tropical storm Ketsana, is also believed to have now displaced almost half a million people.
The country's president Gloria Arroyo has even opened the presidential palace to shelter survivors.
The Philippine government this week issued a plea for international aid, claiming it may not have the resources to deal with a second storm due to hit later this week.
Ketsana struck the northern regions of the country last weekend, dumping more than a month's worth of rain in 12 hours.
Gilbert Teodoro, the defence secretary and chairman of the national disaster co-ordinating council, confirmed some 12,000 people had already been rescued but many more still remained in need of aid.
"We are trying our level best to provide basic necessities, but the potential for a more serious situation is there," he told reporters.
"We cannot wait for that to happen."
The death toll is expected to continue to rise in the coming days with the secondary storm and the increased risk of infection and disease in the flooded areas.