Tragic pictures of the damage of typhoon "FAMCO" in the Philippines
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Philippine police and disaster officials said today, Saturday, that 53 people have died in floods, landslides and other accidents caused by Typhoon Famco in the Philippines.
Police added that 22 people were considered missing.
Floodwaters rose to levels described as "unprecedented" in the northern provinces of Cagayan and Isabella, after heavy rains from FAMCO caused the opening of the drainage gate of a main dam overnight.
Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba said that rainfall from neighboring provinces reached the Cagayan River, which overflowed and led to an increase in floods.
"This is unprecedented, it is the first time we are exposed to this kind of flood," Mamba told DZMM radio in Manila, calling for the rescue of the citizens stranded on the roofs of their homes.
He added, "Rescuers are already suffering from severe exhaustion ... Our region has turned into an ocean of muddy flood waters."
It is noteworthy that the Philippines is exposed to about 20 tropical cyclones annually on average, causing floods, landslides and other accidents.
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