Muddy floodwater from the Butuanon river is seen flowing outside houses during floods in Mandaue City, the Philippines, on October 4.

Jade Nebato said they built higher foundations to protect their homes because the area suffers floods every year at the height of the annual rainy season.

He said: "The smell is also bad because the river is polluted, but the worst thing is the damaged appliances when there is a flash flood."

More than 480 houses were left submerged in the water so families had to be evacuated in a nearby school building until the water recedes.
The Butuanon River was declared "dead" in 1992 and tested positive for the poliovirus on February 15.

The Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia such as Thailand and Malaysia are at the peak of the annual rainy season, which sees regular tropical storms.