Almost 90 dead after storm triggers flooding and mudslides in the Philippines

Nearly 90 people have been killed and dozens are missing after a tropical storm hit the southern Philippines – triggering mudslides and flooding, police and disaster officials said on Saturday.
The main southern island of Mindanao was the worst hit.

Ryan Cabus, an official in Tubod town said: ”We're are still trying to confirm reports of a farming village buried by a mudslide due to heavy rains brought by the typhoon.”

He added that power and communication lines to the area had been cut, complicating rescue efforts.

Earlier the weather bureau said the storm had gathered strength over the Sulu Sea and was packing winds of up 50 mph (80 kph) and moving west at 20 kph.

It was heading out over the sea by mid-day on Saturday and would have moved clear of the Philippines by Monday, it said.

Emergency workers, soldiers, police and volunteers were being mobilised to search for survivors, clear debris, and restore power and communications.

At least 39 people were killed in Tubod, El Salvador and Munai towns in Lanao del Norte province.

In Zamboanga del Norte province, police said 30 people had been killed in the town of Sibuco town and six in Salug.