The death toll continued to rise from a powerful typhoon that flooded much of the southern Philippines.

More than 280 people have been reported dead. At least 151 people died in the worst hit province of Compostela Valley.

"The waters came so suddenly and unexpectedly, and the winds were so fierce - that compounded the loss of lives and livelihood," Compostela Valley Provincial Governor Arturo Uy told Reuters.

Officials fear the death toll from Typhoon Bopha will continue to rise as rescuers reach other hard-hit areas that have been isolated by landslides and flooding.