The death toll from landslides and flooding in the Philippines triggered by tropical storm Megi reached 148 on Thursday, official figures showed.

Scores of people are still missing and feared dead after the strongest storm to strike the archipelago nation this year dumped heavy rain over several days, forcing tens of thousands into evacuation centers.

In the central province of Leyte, the worst affected by Megi, devastating landslides smashed farming and fishing communities, wiping out houses and transforming the landscape. 

Megi, which hit land last Sunday, is the first tropical storm this year to hit the Southeast Asian country, which is battered by about 20 typhoons and storms every year. The Philippines archipelago lies on the Pacific typhoon belt, making it one of the world's most disaster-prone countries.

(With input from agencies)