Tens of thousands of Philippine villages devastated by mudslides

Source: CCTV.com | 12-04-2006 09:41

Tens of thousands of villagers affected by mudslides in the central Philippines are waiting for emergency supplies at local evacuation centers. However, so far there has been very little aid.

Officials fear that up to 600 may have been killed by landslides triggered by torrential rain and winds of up to 225 kilometers per hour in the heavy hit province of Albay.

High winds gushed through villages, burying entire communities and entombing locals in their homes.

Merla Marigondon, mudslide survivor,said, "We do not know if our family members are alive or not. We need help. We want to see our missing brothers and nieces."

The National Disaster Coordinating Council said 309 people have been killed due to landslides, flooding, and flying debris and 298 are still missing.

More than 800,000 people are affected by typhoon Durian, which triggered intense flooding.

Thousands are still without food, electricity and fresh water after nearly 120,000 homes were damaged.

Enrico Sabaybay, typhoon survivor said,"We are trying to clean up, trying to dig as deep as we can to find the houses' foundations. All of our things are gone, clothes, television, and the rest of our belongings."

Durian, one notch below a category 5 "super typhoon" was the fourth typhoon to hit the Philippines in three months.

Forecasters expect one more before the end of the year.

Editor:Du Xiaodan