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,

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.

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.

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

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.

The Philippines has suspended government work and shut schools, and its central bank halted foreign currency trading due to Tropical Storm Kristine (International name: Trami), which was barreling in towards the east coast of the country’s main island of Luzon.

At least 14 people were killed in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Trami flooded villages, inundated rivers and forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes as it approached the eastern coast.