The death toll from a powerful rainstorm that triggered landslides and flash floods in the eastern Philippines has jumped to 412 with 177 people still missing, officials said yesterday.

　　Meanwhile, winds and rain from another approaching typhoon hampered rescue efforts and prompted authorities to raise an alert over the country's already battered eastern provinces.

　　Weather forecasters warn Typhoon Nanmadol, expected to make landfall today or early tomorrow, could be especially fierce. It was roaring toward the country at 44 kilometers per hour with winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour.

　　As rescue workers struggled to reach survivors on rooftops and dry patches of land, the coast guard prevented ferries, small boats and fishermen from leaving ports.

　　A navy gun boat brought food, water and medicine to hardest-hit Real town in Quezon province late on Tuesday, where at least 150 were killed in a landslide. It was to pick up more supplies yesterday, but was forced to turn back because of rough seas and debris, navy spokesman Captain Geronimo Malabanan said.

　　According to a breakdown provided by the national police, 364 people had died in Quezon province, 20 in nearby Aurora, four in Bulacan province north of Manila, 22 in Rizal province, and one each in Camarines Norte and Manila.

　　Carlos Nolledo, a village leader from Infanta town in Quezon, said about 50 bodies had been recovered but many more were seen entangled in the logs and other debris brought down by the landslides. Four bridges leading to the town were destroyed, he told ABS-CBN television.

　　"The people here are preparing for the coming typhoon, which we heard is a strong one," Nolledo said.

　　Low clouds and pounding rain also turned back a helicopter carrying Vice President Noli de Castro and Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman on a visit to Quezon.

　　President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo also canceled her trip to the area. In a statement, Arroyo ordered the military and police to crack down on illegal logging, blaming the high death toll on erosion caused by deforestation.

　　"Illegal logging must now be placed in the order of most serious crimes against our people," she said. "The series of landslides and flash floods that hit several parts of the country should serve as a wake-up call for us to join hands in preserving and stepping up reforestation."

　　Major General Pedro Cabuay, the regional military commander, said he plans to send about 200 soldiers to carry relief supplies by foot to Real.

　　The Philippines is hit by about 20 storms and typhoons a year. A typhoon and another storm last week killed at least 87 people.

　　(The Associated Press)