Heavy rain and floods in the central and southern Philippines have killed 42 people and damaged crops and infrastructure worth more than 23 million dollars. Head of the government's disaster agency, Benito Ramos, on Thursday told reporters that floods and landslides caused by more than two weeks of heavy rains in late December and January have displaced nearly four lakh people. Appealing for food, water, medicines and warm clothes, Mr Ramos said, soldiers are using helicopters to deliver relief goods and survey areas for clearing and rehabilitation.