Death toll from Philippine storm hits 140
Overwhelmed officials called for international help, warning they may not have sufficientresources to withstandanother storm that forecasters said was brewing east of the island nation and could hit as early as Friday. Authorities expected the death toll from Tropical Storm Ketsana, which scythed across the northern Philippines on Saturday, to rise as rescuers reach villages blocked off by floating cars and other debris. The storm dumped more than a month’s worth of rain in just 12 hours,fuelling the worst flooding to hit the country in more than 40 years. At least 140 people died and 32 are missing. Troops, police and volunteers have already rescued over 7,900 people, but unconfirmed reports of more deaths abound, defence secretary Gilbert Teodoro said.
He said help from foreign governments will ensure the Philippine government can continue its relief work. “We are trying our level best to provide basic necessities, but the potential for a more serious situation is there,” Teodoro said. “We cannot wait for that to happen.”
