Photo for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

Disaster officials reported on Thursday that the death toll from a severe storm that caused flooding and landslides across the Philippines has climbed to 150. More than 355,400 people left their homes after severe Tropical Storm Paeng battered the country late last week and over the weekend, The national disaster agency documented 150 deaths, with 63 recorded from the Bangsamoro region on the southern island of Mindanao. According to the organization, at least 128 individuals were injured, and 36 are still missing across the country. Authorities have warned there is no hope of finding more survivors. President Ferdinand Marcos blamed the devastating landslides in Bangsamoro on deforestation and climate change. He has urged local government units to grow more trees in deforested mountains. Marcos has also declared a state of calamity in the affected areas for six months and released funds for relief efforts. Scientists have warned that dangerous and catastrophic storms will intensify as the planet warms due to climate change. BKM/ Expat Media
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