Weeks of rains leave 47 dead in Philippines

Manila, Jan 15 (AFP) More than two weeks of heavy rainshave left at least 47 people dead from flash floods andlandslides in the Philippines, the government said today.

Monsoon rains have battered parts of the country sinceDecember 29, with more thunderstorms still forecast for theseareas, the government weather station said.

The death toll from the rain has risen to 47 due todrownings or burial by landslides, while four more peopleremain missing, said the National Disaster Risk Reduction andManagement Council.

Eight more people were injured by landslides, the councilsaid in a statement, while over 18,000 people were stillhoused in government evacuation centres because of continueddanger.

Cold air from northeast Asia coming into contact withwarmer air in the tropical country helped cause the unusuallyheavy rains. (AFP)