Philippine rescuers battle flood waters to reach storm victims

Rescuers in the northern Philippines raced on Oct 26 to reach people still stranded in areas made inaccessible by flooding from Tropical Storm Trami, which has displaced nearly half a million people and killed at least 87.

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In the hard-hit Bicol region, residents trapped on the roofs and upper floors of their homes were still awaiting desperately needed assistance, officials told AFP.

"The floods have yet to subside. Calls asking for help are still pouring (in) here," regional police director Andre Dizon said.

"We need to rescue them as soon as possible because starvation can be a problem. We're hearing reports that children are already getting sick."

In the region's Camarines Sur province, food and drinking water were in increasingly short supply as some areas remained completely submerged and difficult to access, he added.