According to the latest figures, the flooding caused by tropical storm Ketsana which pounded the Philippines on Saturday killed at least 240 people. The death toll is rising as more bodies are being uncovered in the capital Manila, where over 90 bodies have recently been found. It is not known how many will be discovered when the thick mud is cleared from the worst-hit parts of the capital.

Large parts of the capital of 12 million people were submerged by the floods, which also affected 25 nearby provinces. Some 380,000 people who fled the flooding are living in makeshift shelters.

The Philippines government, which says its relief services have been overwhelmed by the disaster, has appealed to the international community for help. The rainfall was the heaviest in more than 40 years. Meteorologists are predicting additional heavy rains later this week.

One of the worst-hit provinces Rizal
Photo by EPA/ANP