Deadly flooding, landslides hit Philippines
From Zain Verjee
CNN
(CNN) -- Amid fallen trees and coconut leaves, the dead are piled onto a muddy roadside. Surrounding them are survivors, signaling for help.
Flash floods and landslides have killed at least 300 people in coastal towns in the eastern Philippines. One hundred fifty more are reported missing.
Roads and bridges have been washed away; passengers stranded atop buses; cars toppled and rice fields swamped with water. The powerful floodwaters thundered through homes, battering them, and shattering lives.
As the rainwater drips down, it seems only a fake flower at one home still stands.
A man floats around, almost leisurely, perhaps taking in the extent of the destruction. Even animals have not been spared -- a pig lies dying in the mud; chickens were drowned.
On a cart stands a few of a family's remaining belongings.
"It's painful to lose your home," says one flood victim. "We don't have anywhere to go. We need help."
But bad weather and blocked roads are preventing rescue teams from reaching those who need that help. Officials say the current is still strong and the water still high. Hovering helicopter crews can't find places to land. Instead, they are airdropping food to those who managed to climb onto rooftops.
One family tried to cross a flooded river. In the middle of the night rescuers were able to pull them to safety.
And it's not over yet. Filipinos are bracing themselves for another lashing -- a typhoon is predicted to hit Wednesday.
