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Flash floods kill six people in the Philippines
Eastern Samar, an impoverished province 630 kilometres south-east of Manila, was the worst hit with at least six people killed, including a teenager whi was swept away by floodwaters.
- Agencies
- Published: 11:29 February 19, 2008
Manila: At least six people have been killed in the eastern Philippines in flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains that have fallen since last week, officials said on Tuesday.
More than 70,000 people have been affected by the floods and landslides in four eastern provinces, reported the office of defense.
Eastern Samar, an impoverished province 630 kilometres south-east of Manila, was the worst hit with at least six people killed, including a teenager who was swept away by floodwaters.
A total of 44,578 people in eastern Samar have been affected by the torrential rains, the civil defence office said.
Eastern Samar governor Ben Evardone said some of the affected families were trapped in interior villages and could not get to evacuation centres for assistance.
"we cannot get to them because the only means of transportation is by boat," he told a Manila radio station.
The weather bureau said a low pressure area and the tail-end of a cold front were causing the heavy rains.
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