Widespread flooding and landslides set off by a tropical storm in the northeastern Philippines left at least 23 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.

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.

Tropical Storm Trami is moving toward the main island of the Philippines and is expected to strengthen before making landfall, bringing heavy rain and threatening rice crops.

Footage shows locals walking across railings to escape gushing floods caused by Tropical Storm Trami in Legazpi City, Albay province, in the Philippines on2. Trami, known locally as Kristine, intensified into a tropical storm as it churned over the Philippine Sea on2.