Philippines tropical storm death toll reaches 1,100

The death toll from tropical storm Washi climbed to 1,100 on Saturday, and the number of people reported missing soared from a dozen to 1,079, according to Philippine official statistics. The total number of population affected by Washi reached 695, 195 persons in 108,798 families in the country''s 13 provinces, said a report released by the Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. The estimated cost of damages to infrastructure, agriculture and school buildings topped 1 billion pesos (22.94 million U.S. dollars), the report said. Search operations are continuing in heavily devastated areas through the concerted efforts of the Philippine armed forces, police and coast guards. The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has meanwhile issued a preliminary appeal for 122.7 million Philippine peso ($2.8 million) through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) for 25,000 people who have been severely affected by the disaster.