A tropical storm in the Philippines unleashed floods and set off landslides over the weekend, leaving at least 21 dead, the country's disaster relief authorities said on Monday. Quoting local officials, the Reuters news agency reported 21 bodies were recovered on Monday. At least 16 other people were injured and more than 17,000 were displaced by floods and landslides. Over 136,000 people were affected as heavy rains triggered landslides in 10 mountainous communities, according to the disaster agency of Baybay City in Leyte province, eastern Philippines. Megi made landfall in the central Philippine province on Sunday morning and is downgraded from tropical storm to tropical depression now. An 83-year-old man drowned in floods in Davao De Oro province, 970 kilometers south of Manila, the national disaster agency said. "There are some reports of additional casualties, but we are still waiting for the official head count and reports coming from our regional counterparts," said Mark Timbal, spokesman for the national disaster agency. The DPA news agency said 17,892 people were forced to flee their homes in 17 provinces affected by Megi, while more than 1,100 passengers were stranded in seaports in the affected areas after the coast guard suspended sea travel. — Agencies
