Flash floods, agitated by tropical storms, have hit into the Philippines.

The Asian nation, home to international popstar Charice and model Jake Cuenca, is located around the sea, bordering it heavily. It has also had a past of unsavoury weather, and during the Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26th 2004, it was demolished, with some of the worst water damage seen in decades. Officials say the current death toll is over 200, with hundreds more missing. “Tens of thousands” have also fled the area for higher ground.

Many victims were asleep, unaware of the danger which struck Mindanao Island. Benito Ramos, head of the national disaster rescue agency, fears for the safety of the people, as floodwaters rose alarmingly quickly whilst the population was sleeping.

Rivers have burst their banks, as 25mm of rain fell in under 24 hours. Winds of up to 90kph (55mph) have grounded flights and broken power lines, leaving the public unable to get information on the situation. A landslide also killed at least 5 people on the east of the island, say reports. Nearly 100 dead bodies of children have been recovered, mainly by an army division ran by Colonel Leopoldo Galon, who has deployed somewhere around 10,000 men to help rescue efforts in Iligan City and Cagayan de Oro, the worst affected regions.

We send our condolences to any families who have lost relatives, and we wish luck to all those searching for more survivors.

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