Death toll in Philippines storm Kompasu rises to 19

Rescuers evacuating residents from their homes near a swollen river in Cagayan province, Philippines on Oct 11, 2021. - AFP

MANILA (AFP): The death toll from a storm that triggered landslides and flash floods across the Philippines has risen to at least 19, authorities said Thursday (Oct 14), linking the extreme rainfall to climate change.

Severe Tropical Storm Kompasu dumped more than a month's worth of rain in two days as it swept across the archipelago nation this week, national disaster agency spokesman Mark Timbal told AFP.