Meanwhile, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) on Sunday morning reported that floods, storm surge, and landslides have affected 366,444 people, of which, 70,717 are in evacuation centers.

Children wade through knee-deep floodwaters after a Typhoon Fengshen pelted metro Manila with torrential rain and high winds June 22, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) 

According to the disaster relief agency, 229 people were confirmed dead in typhoon-caused accidents.

Senator Richard Gordon, head of the national Red Cross, said the death toll could also jump dramatically because the casualties reports from places such as Central Luzon are yet to reach Manila.

Heavy rains and strong winds totally destroyed 127 houses and partially damaged 16 others, the NDCC said.

Floodwaters in many parts of the Philippines surged so swiftly that many roads were rendered useless while large number of residents in central Philippines reportedly fled their damaged houses to take refuge on rooftops or in the branches of tall trees.