Climate fury: Ketsana batters the Philippines

Officials say the death toll in the massive flooding in the Philippine capital and surrounding areas has climbed to 240 people, with 37 others missing.

The National Disaster Coordinating Council said the homes of nearly 1.9 million were inundated, with nearly 380,000 people brought to schools, churches and other evacuation centres.

Overwhelmed officials have called for international help, warning they may not have enough resources to withstand another storm that forecasters say is brewing east of the country and could hit as early as Friday.

Tropical Storm Ketsana, which scythed across the northern Philippines on Saturday, dumped more than a month's worth of rain in just 12 hours, fuelling the worst flooding to hit the country in more than 40 years.