Dramatic Rise in Philippines Floods Death Toll

Filipinos whose homes were damaged by flood struggle for relief supplies in Marikina City, northeastern Manila, Philippines. Photo by BGNES

The Philippines government says 240 people are now known to have died in severe flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana.

The country has appealed for foreign aid to deal with the disaster, which has displaced more than 450 000 people, the BBC reported.

Some 374 890 people are living in makeshift shelters, three times more than previously reported.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said the situation could become worse if aid supplies run out.

The sharp rise in the death toll - up 100 from the previous figure - came after more than 90 deaths were recorded in Manila, the National Disaster Coordinating Council said in a statement.

Earlier, Teodoro appealed for humanitarian assistance from the international community.

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