Tropical storm Washi struck the southern island of Mindanao, the Philippines on Friday night, blanketing the area with heavy rain and high winds. Flash floods and landslides washed away entire houses with families inside in dozens of coastal villages in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan. According to Philippine Red Cross, most of the victims are children and women. The death roll continues to increase whereas Philippine residents try their best to recover from the strong storm. More than 600 people have been pronounced dead and hundreds are missing. Thousands of people are homeless in the wake of the storm. Although every year the Philippines is hit by 20 typhoons, the Mindanao region rarely gets severe storms.
Local residents stand among the debris after the tropical storm Washi struck the southern island of Mindanao on December 17
20,000 soldiers are deployed by the government to help rescue victims and recover the tragedy.
Rescuers paddle their boat to search for survivors after Typhoon Washi
Residents were rescued by volunteers.
Police use a rubber boat to evacuate residents from flooded regions
Thousands of people have been homeless by the severe storm which leaves 625 people dead and hundreds missing
Philippine Red Cross said most victims of the disaster are women and children
The devastated image of villages in Cagayan de Oro and Iligan, Philippines after flash floods and landslides
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Philippines Flood: More Than 600 Dead After Tropical Storm Washi (Pictures)