The death toll in a powerful storm that triggered landslides and flash floods in the Philippines has risen to 126, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on 6 January .

The storm hit central and eastern Philippine islands on 29 December and caused massive flooding and landslides. (Photo: AFP)

The agency said in its latest report that 26 people remain missing in the regions of Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon and Mimaropa.

The number of affected people has also jumped to 675,777 or 150,877 families, according to the NDRRMC report.

The tropical depression hit land on 29 December, 2018 and eventually weakened into a low-pressure area.

Nevertheless, it continued to dump heavy rains in central and northern Philippines triggering landslides and massive floods.

The tropical depression was deadliest among the 21 weather disturbances to hit the Philippines in 2018. In September, a super typhoon swept through the northern end of the Philippine main Luzon Island, killing 95 people.

Around 20 typhoons and storms hit the Southeast Asian country each year.

(Source: VNA)