At least 184 people were believed to have died as heavy rains brought more lethal chaos to the Philippines.

Rescuers are among the victims.

Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has sent troops to the stricken northern states to boost the rescue operation and deliver aid.

The disaster's been triggered by heavy rain from what started as Typhoon Parma.

The storm weakened but hovered over the north of Luzon island for a week.

The rain has also forced the release of water from dams because of swollen rivers and reservoirs, causing more flooding in areas downstream.

Less than two weeks earlier, Typhoon Ketsana claimed more than 300 lives and forced half a million people to flee their homes.

The two storms have also written off millions of dollars worth of crops.

The Philippines, already the world's biggest buyer of rice, is considering whether to import more to bolster its supplies for next year.