Floods continue in Asia

(Vatican Radio) Floodwater surged down streets in the Philippines capital, trapping tens of thousands of people in buildings. Those who could, made their way to one of 200 government evacuation centres.

In parts of China, there are similar scenes as rescuers in boats tried to reach survivors in flooded buildings.

This resident of southern Guangdong province said he'd been trapped with nothing to eat for three days. He said many people in his neighbourhood remain cut off.

China's government has promised an all-out effort to save lives and contain the damage.

The state news agency said in northeastern Fushun city more than 120,000 people were conducting relief work, including nearly 10,000 soldiers.

China often suffers from floods. This year the damage was unusually concentrated after a typhoon struck the south and heavy rain fell in the northeast.

And large areas of farmland are under water, destroying crops that farmers would have begun harvesting a few weeks from now.

Alastair Wanklyn reports: