Widespread flooding and landslides set off by a tropical storm in the northeastern Philippines on Thursday left at least 24 people dead, swept away cars and prompted authorities to scramble for motorboats to rescue trapped villagers,

Thousands of people were evacuated from their homes as parts of the country experienced unprecedented flooding, the authorities said.

MANILA >> Tropical Storm Trami has killed at least 26 people and forced more than 150,000 to flee their homes in the Philippines, officials said on Thursday, as it made landfall on the northeastern coast.

At least 26 people were killed in the Philippines after a tropical storm caused widespread flooding and landslides. Most of the deaths were reported in the Bicol region where flash floods inundated the Naga city, authorities said. Trami, locally known as Kristine, lashed the country’s northeast on Wednesday and left many regions submerged.

Tropical Storm Trami made landfall in the northeastern portion of the Philippines' main Luzon island early on Thursday, forcing schools and government offices to shut for a second straight day as disaster agencies brace for more rains and floods.

Torrential rain set off by an approaching storm has swamped eastern Philippine cities and towns in widespread floods that have killed at least nine people, trapped others on their roofs and sparked frantic appeals for help.

At least 24 people were killed in the Philippines after a tropical storm caused widespread flooding and landslides. Tropical Storm Trami lashed northeastern parts of the country on Wednesday, striking the province of Isabela and continues to sweep across Luzon, has left many areas submerged.

Torrential rain set off by an approaching tropical storm swamped eastern Philippine cities and towns overnight in widespread flooding that trapped people, some on their roofs, and sparked frantic appeals for rescue boats and trucks,