More than 200 dead in Philippine typhoon
Posted December 17, 2011 3:12 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A typhoon hit the southern Philippines triggering flash floods and landslides that killed 256 people, according to the Philippine Red Cross on Saturday.
Typhoon Washi, with winds gusting up to 90 kilometres per hour, hit the resource-rich island of Mindanao late Friday, bringing heavy rain.
Military Infantry Brigade Commander Roland Amarille said rescue operations were ongoing.
“Our navy and coast guard are scanning the area, particularly between the river and the sea, and right now we are able to rescue 18 people,” he said.
“Our helicopters, they are also conducting relief operations right now.”
Officials said many people were caught by surprise when water rose one metre high in less than an hour, forcing them onto roofs.
The national disaster agency said it could not estimate crop and property damage because emergency workers, including soldiers and police officers, were evacuating affected areas and recovering casualties.
The social welfare department said about 100,000 people were displaced and brought to more than a dozen shelters.
An average of 20 typhoons hit the Philippines every year, often causing death and destruction.
