Philippines steps up search for flood survivors

Rescuers are continuing the search for survivors after floods killed more than 400 people and left many others missing in the southern Philippines. Naval vessels are scouring the coast along the island of Mindanao while soldiers searched swollen rivers. Officials said many bodies remained unclaimed, suggesting entire families had been swept away. The flash floods were triggered by a tropical storm that coincided with high tides, trapping many in their homes. The major ports of Cagayan de Oro and Iligan were among the areas worst hit on Friday night. Almost 35,000 people were still sheltering in evacuation centres on Sunday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said. Philippine Red Cross Secretary General Gwen Pang told the Associated Press that at least 436 people were dead. She said that 215 had died in Cagayan de Oro and 144 in nearby Iligan. The rest died in several other southern and central provinces, she added. Many of the bodies were unclaimed after nearly 24 hours, she said, suggesting that entire families had died. "The affected area is so wide and huge and I believe they have not really gone to all areas to do a search," she said. Power cuts "This thing happened so fast, it was very overwhelming." The total number of missing is still unclear, although officials said that in Iligan alone the figure stood at about 250. The navy joined the search for those who had been swept out to sea. About 60 people were reported to have been plucked from the ocean off El Salvador city, about six miles (10km) north-west of Cagayan de Oro. Former congressman Ayi Hernandez said he and his family were at home in Cagayan de Oro late on Friday when they heard a loud "swooshing sound". He said the water rose to about 11ft feet (3.3m) in less than an hour, filling his home to the ceiling. Map of Philippines The rescue effort, boosted by some 20,000 soldiers, continued through Saturday night but was being hampered by flooded-out roads and downed power lines, officials said. National TV showed scenes of devastation, with streets strewn with mud and piles of debris. The remains of houses lay alongside cars that had been picked up by the water and left in culverts and along riverbanks. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent condolences to the Philippines. "The US government stands ready to assist Philippine authorities as they respond to this tragedy," she said. Weather experts said Tropical Storm Washi dumped more than a month of average rain in just 12 hours over Mindanao. The BBC's Kate McGeown in Manila said the storm took everyone by surprise. Although the Philippines is hit by typhoons or tropical storms every year, Mindanao in the south is usually spared the worst of the damage, she adds. Washi reached the western island of Palawan before dawn on Sunday and is moving west into the South China Sea, government forecasters said. The storm has maximum winds of 80km/h (50mph) and is expected to move west, away from the Philippines.