COTABATO CITY, Philippines - The death toll from flooding caused by torrential rains in southern Philippines climbed to seven, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Thursday.

Most of the casualties drowned, while one was electrocuted. Rescuers are still searching for three people who remain missing.

Residents wade through floodwaters in Davao, southern Philippines, Jan 20, 2013 in this picture provided by the Philippine National Red Cross. [Photo/Agencies]

The NDRRMC also reported that the number of persons displaced by floods triggered by the tail end of a cold front has exceeded 245,000.

The provinces of Davao del Norte, Compostela Valley, and Davao Oriental as well as the cities of Davao and Tagum were the hardest hit by the flood.

A state of emergency has been declared in flood-hit areas.

In the province of Maguindanao, about 4,000 families were displaced by the flooding in the town of Datu Montawal as floodwater submerged low lying villages.