MANILA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The death toll in a powerful storm that triggered landslides and flash flood in the Philippines has risen to 126, a government disaster agency said on Sunday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said in its latest report that 26 people remain missing in the regions of Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon and Mimaropa.

The number of affected people has also jumped to 675,777 or 150,877 families, according to the NDRRMC report.

Most died from landslides triggered by the storm that also brought heavy rains.

The tropical depression hit land on December 29 2018 and eventually weakened into a low-pressure area. 

Nevertheless, it continued to dump heavy rain in central and northern Philippines triggering landslides and massive floods.

The tropical depression was deadliest among the 21 weather disturbances to hit the Philippines in 2018. In September, a super typhoon swept through the northern end of the Philippine main Luzon Island, killing 95 people.

Around 20 typhoons and storms hit the Philippines each year.