Toll rises to 9 in flashfloods, landslides in Philippines

MANILA - The death toll in landslides and flashfloods brought about by heavy rains in the northern Philippines has risen to nine, with one man missing, a government relief agency said Friday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said eight people were buried in landslides in the provinces of Isabela, Cagayan and Kalinga, while one man drowned in Aurora province.

Benito Ramos, head of the agency, said one man was also missing and feared dead after being swept away by strong river currents in Benito Soliven town in Isabela.

Ramos said more than 60,000 people have been affected by the flashfloods that submerged houses in 140 villages across 23 town areas.

Rescue and relief operations have been intensified in the affected areas, Ramos added.

The weather bureau said the heavy rains, which started Monday, were due to the tail-end of a cold front affecting the northern Philippines.