Death toll from heavy rains and floods rises to 44 in the Philippines

The NDRRMC confirmed 13 deaths, including four from the Davao region and three each from the Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Caraga regions.

The agency noted that the remaining 31 deaths were still undergoing validation, including 24 from Northern Mindanao, six from Bicol, and one from Zamboanga Peninsula.

A search for about 28 missing persons is still going on, the agency added.

A series of floods have severely affected the provinces of Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental, and also affected some parts of the Visayan islands of the Philippines.

The floods began on December 24, as intense rain poured down on the central and southern parts of the Philippines. (ILKHA)