2nd LD: Philippine storm death toll rises to 31, 49 missing

MANILA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least 31 people were killed in landslides and flooding triggered by a powerful storm that battered the central Philippines since Saturday, President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman said on Monday.

Spokesman Harry Roque said five people died in Leyte, one in Eastern Samar, two in Samar and 23 in Biliran.

"We have 49 (people) missing so far," Roque told a news conference in the island province of Biliran.

Aside from the number of casualties, Roque said the storm also affected 62,309 families or 270,707 individuals.

He said the storm also damaged roads and bridges in Eastern Samar and Samar provinces.

Roque and members of Duterte's cabinet flew to Biliran to assess the damages brought about by tropical storm Kai-Tak, locally named as Urduja.

Duterte also visited Leyte province before going to Biliran, a province with the most number of casualties and damage.

In an earlier news conference, Romina Marasigan of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (NDRRMC) reported that there is also an undermined number of missing people in Romblon province.

The storm dumped heavy rain that triggered severe flooding and landslides in many provinces in the central Philippines and the southernmost tip of the Philippine main Luzon Island.

Many flights and ferries have been canceled during the weekend, stranding thousands of passengers in ferry terminals and airports.

At least 1,200 tourists were reportedly stuck in Boracay Island, the world-famous island beach resort, off Aklan province, due to severe flooding.

Pictures of foreign tourists paddle boarding and kayaking in the flooded streets of Boracay island were posted on Facebook.

The state weather bureau PAGASA said Kai-Tak weakened further after crossing Palawan province.

In a statement, PAGASA said Palawan will continue to experience scattered rains.

"Residents of these areas must undertake appropriate measures against flooding and landslides," the bureau warned.

"Sea travel is not advised over the seabirds of Palawan because of the tail-end of a cold front," it said.

The bureau predicted Kai-Tak to exit the Philippines on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the bureau said that another low-pressure area was spotted 1,500 km east of Mindanao. Enditem