Philippines hunts for dozens still missing from weekend weather disaster that killed at least 25

More than 80,000 people have been forced to shelter in evacuation centres by the rains, floods and landslides of recent days

Unlike in the Philippines’ previous disasters, its Christmastime tragedy was not triggered by more severe typhoons or tropical storms

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Rescuers lift a child to safety while helping people affected by floods in Plaridel, the Philippines’ Misamis Occidental province, on December 26. Photo: Philippine Coastguard Handout via Reuters

Published: 11:31am, 28 Dec 2022Updated: 11:32am, 28 Dec 2022

Rescue teams across nine provinces in the Philippines raced on Wednesday to try to locate 26 people missing after weekend rains, floods and landslides that have killed at least 25 people, in one of its deadliest weather events this year.

The national disaster agency on Wednesday said casualties reported so far had increased to 25 from 17 the previous day, with most deaths caused by drowning from flash floods.

“Search and rescue operations continue, led by the coastguard as most of them were missing fishermen,” the disaster agency’s Diego Agustin Mariano told DZMM radio.

Rescuers carry an elderly woman to safety in the town of Plaridel on December 26. Photo: Philippine Coastguard Handout via EPA-EFE

The rain-induced floods and landslides are unlike previous disasters in the Philippines, which are typically triggered by more severe typhoons and tropical storms, of which the archipelago nation usually sees about 20 each year.

The agency also recorded more than 300 flooded areas and 20 rain-induced landslides, which collectively have forced more than 80,000 people to take shelter in evacuation centres. Most of the floods have since subsided.

Local media showed images on Wednesday of people crammed in gymnasiums turned into evacuation centres and residents removing debris and cleaning up homes after days of heavy rains.

Earlier, images on social media showed the coastguard, police and fire personnel wading through waist-deep floods and carrying residents along landslide-hit areas. Some roads were flooded by overflowing rivers nearby.