40 dead in Philippine floods

Officials say at least 40 people have been killed after Tropical Storm Ketsana dumped more than 40 centimetres of rain on the Philippine capital in just 12 hours.

Officials say at least 40 people have been killed after Tropical Storm Ketsana dumped more than 40 centimetres of rain on the Philippine capital in just 12 hours.

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Tony Mateo, a spokesman for the nearby Rizal provincial government, said flash floods and a landslide killed 35 people in five townships in the province on Saturday. He says 27 others are missing.

Deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez, who is the acting head of the Office of Civil Defence, said five others were killed in the capital, Manila.

Chief government weather forecaster Nathaniel Cruz says 42.4 centimetres of rain fell on Manila in just 12 hours on Saturday, more than the 39.2-cm average for the entire month of September.