Riyaz ul Khaliq and Saadet Firdevs Apan
April 12, 2022•Update: April 12, 2022
ISTANBUL/ANKARA
The death toll from the floods and landslides in the Philippines rose to 42 on Tuesday, according to local sources.
Authorities said search and rescue operations in the Baybay city of the Leyte province were suspended since it was "too dangerous" to continue in the dark, according to the US television network CBS News.
Earlier, the country's disaster management authority said at least 20 people were killed in floods caused by a tropical depression, locally known as Agaton.
Bad weather caused over 280 flooding incidents in many parts of the country, including in the Bicol and autonomous Bangsamoro regions in Muslim Mindanao, the daily Phil Star reported, quoting the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.
Central Philippines also reported landslides triggered by the floods.
Police teams have been deployed to the flood-hit areas.
More than 95,700 families were affected by the floods, with a large number of people being displaced.
The bad weather situation damaged 37 roads, five bridges, and 84 houses.
Agriculture fields in many parts of the archipelago nation, including in Bangsamoro, have become inundated.
Brig. Gen. Roderick Alba, who is overseeing the rescue efforts, said: “We have also conducted rescue operations for stranded residents. Our rescue teams are on standby. The only way that we can alleviate the worst effect of this typhoon is through the cooperation of every stakeholder.”
The Philippine Coast Guard in its advisory said it was monitoring the bad weather situation in waters around the islands due to which many passengers, drivers, cargo helpers, and vessels are stranded.
