Office of Civil Defense administrator Benito Ramos said that flood waters had been slowly subsiding, although large areas remained submerged, particularly vast tracts of farm lands.

The death toll was 13 more than the last figure reported late September 28.

Ramos said soldiers, police and other rescue personnel had been working non-stop to help those affected, but with 45 still listed as missing, the death toll would climb.

Ramos said many of the missing were fishermen who set sail ahead of the storm despite warnings to remain on land.

Nesat smashed into the Philippines' main island of Luzon on September 27, bringing heavy rains and wind that caused storm surges and massive flooding.