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,

The government ordered businesses and schools in the path of the storm to close in anticipation of heavy rain and floods

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

Torrential rains brought by tropical storm Trami triggered widespread flooding in eastern Philippines, leaving at least 14 people dead, authorities said on Wednesday.Thousands of people were marooned in their homes and on rooftops as emergency services struggled to respond to a deluge of rescue requests.

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.

Trami made landfall on the northeastern coast of Luzon island and has caused at least 24 deaths while forcing tens of thousands to flee.A severe tropical storm in the Philippines unleashed widespread flooding and landslides that have killed at least 24 people,

Trami was a tropical storm over the Philippines Thursday morning Philippine Time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said in its latest advisory. The tropical storm had sustained wind speeds of 52 miles per hour.

Most of the deaths were reported in the Bicol region, south-east of Manila, where at least 20 people died, including seven residents in Naga city.

At least seven deaths were reported in the Philippines by October 23 as over 30,000 people left their homes, with the powerful Tropical Storm Trami approaching landfall and bringing torrential rain.Footage released by the Coast Guard in the Bicol district shows the evacuation of 21 people in deep floodwater.

The Philippines said it will suspend government work and schools in its main Luzon island for a second day on Thursday due to forecasts of heavy rain brought by severe tropical storm Trami.