An aerial view shows villages inundated in floodwaters caused by typhoon Washi in Cagayan de Oro, southern Philippines, December 17, 2011. More than 250 people were killed and almost twice that number were missing after the typhoon hit the southern Philippines, officials said on Saturday, triggering flash floods and landslides and forcing tens of thousands from their homes.

A resident rummages through debris following a flash flood that inundated Cagayan de Oro city, Philippines, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. A tropical storm triggered flash floods in the southern Philippines, killing scores of people and missing more. Mayor Lawrence Cruz of nearby Iligan said the coast guard and other rescuers were scouring the waters off his coastal city for survivors or bodies that may have been swept to the sea by a swollen river.

Residents stand among debris after tropical storm Washi raked through Iligan City on the soutern island of Mindanao on December 17, 2011. The death toll from tropical storm Washi surged to 180 on December 17 with nearly 400 people missing in flash floods that ravaged the southern Philippines, officials said.

A government worker uses a bulldozer to clean damaged shanties hit by flash floods brought by Typhoon Washi (Sendong) in Iligan city, southernPhilippines December 17, 2011. A typhoon hit the southern Philippines triggering flash floods and landslides that killed nearly 180 people and forced about 100,000 from their homes, government and army officials said Saturday. Typhoon Washi, with winds gusting up to 90km/h (56 mph), hit the resource-rich island of Mindanao late Friday, bringing heavy rain that also grounded some domestic flights and left wide areas without power.

A resident walks past vehicles submerged in floodwaters after tropical storm Washi raked through Iligan City on the soutern island of Mindanao on December 17, 2011. The death toll from tropical storm Washi surged to 180 on December 17 with nearly 400 people missing in flash floods that ravaged the southern Philippines, officials said.

Residents walk past trucks swept away by flash floods due to heavy rains brought by Typhoon Washi, known locally as Sendong, in Iligan city, southernPhilippines December 17, 2011. The typhoon hit the southern Philippines triggering flash floods and landslides that killed nearly 180 people and forced about 100,000 from their homes, government and army officials said on Saturday.

Two women hold their children killed during the passage of tropical storm Washi at a village in Iligan City, on the southern island of Mindanao on December 17, 2011. The death toll from the tropical storm rose to 143 on december 17 with more than 100 others missing after widespread flash floods in the southern Philippines.

Filipino soldiers line up corpses of victims of the tropical storm Washi at a village in Iligan City, on the southern island of Mindanao on December 17, 2011. The death toll from the tropical storm rose to 143 on december 17 with more than 100 others missing after widespread flash floods in the southern Philippines.

Residents are rescued by volunteers following a flash flood that inundated Cagayan de Oro city, Philippines, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011. A tropical storm triggered flash floods in the southern Philippines, killing scores and missing more. Mayor Lawrence Cruz of nearby Iligan said the coast guard and other rescuers were scouring the waters off his coastal city for survivors or bodies that may have been swept to the sea by a swollen river.

Philippine National Police (PNP) rescuers use a rubber boat to evacuate a resident after flash floods brought by Typhoon Washi (Sendong) hit Macasandig town, Cagayan De Oro city, southernPhilippines December 17, 2011. A typhoon hit the southern Philippines triggering flash floods and landslides that killed nearly 180 people and forced about 100,000 from their homes, government and army officials said on Saturday. Typhoon Washi, with winds gusting up to 90km/h (56 mph), hit the resource-rich island of Mindanao late on Friday, bringing heavy rain that also grounded some domestic flights and left wide areas without power.

MANILA 17 Dis. – Kira-kira 200 maut, sementara lebih 400 orang dilaporkan hilang di beberapa wilayah di selatan negara ini apabila banjir kilat akibat ribut tropika melanda Filipina hari ini.

Ketua pasukan penyelamat bandar Cagayan de Oro, Lemuel Gunda berkata, sekurang-kurang 40 mayat ditemui di bandar itu.

Datuk Bandar Iligan, Lawrence Cruz pula berkata, sekurang-kurangnya 15 orang terbunuh di bandar itu dan ramai dilaporkan hilang ekoran bencana alam berkenaan ekoran ribut tropika yang bermula beberapa hari lalu.

“Mereka yang hilang termasuk seorang juruhebah radio yang hanyut ketika cuba menyelamatkan jirannya,” kata Cruz.

Ketua Agensi Bantuan Kecemasan Nasional, Benito Ramos berkata, angka kematian dijangka meningkat berdasarkan laporan yang diterima.

Banjir berlaku ekoran Ribut Tropika Washi yang membawa hujan lebat ke kawasan wilayah Mindanao semalam.

Ramos berkata, seramai sembilan orang maut di sebuah kampung di wilayah Lanao Del Norte selepas air banjir meningkat mendadak sehingga paras bumbung rumah pada waktu tengah malam menyebabkan penduduk terperangkap dan lemas.

“Banjir juga dilaporkan berlaku di beberapa kawasan di rantau itu termasuk bandar Iligan dan Cagayan de Oro,” katanya.

Beliau berkata, beribu-ribu orang kini dipindahkan ke kawasan tanah tinggi.

- AGENSI , pinkturtle2.wordpress.com