Storm Nock-ten kills at least 25 in Philippines

At least 25 people were killed and 31 are missing as tropical storm Nock-ten moved over the northern Philippines Wednesday. More damage was expected in the mountainous north of Luzon island overnight, while heavy rain hit the capital, Manila.

Reuters/Rhaydz Barcia

Most of the missing were fishermen and sailors, lost at sea, according to officials.

Nock-ten, which is named after a Laotian bird, has forced more than 645,000 people from flooded homes but has not passed as close to Manila as expected.

But disaster officials warned of more floods as its new course endangered four million people in northern Luzon, an area prone to landslides and flash floods.

President Benigno Aquino criticised people who had moved to the area, despite government warnings of the dangers from the roughly 20 storms and typhoons that hit the country every year.

The authorities "put up markers saying it is dangerous for people to build
houses there because they are prone to landslides. The problem is people don't
pay attention and still build in these areas," he said.