Tropical storm Yagi kills 14 in Philippines

It was forecast to strengthen into a typhoon as it barrels north westward over the sea toward southern China.

School and government work remains suspended in the flood zone. (AP PHOTO)

Storm warnings remained in most northern Philippine provinces on Tuesday, where residents were warned of the lingering danger of landslides in rain-soaked mountain villages and floodings in the farming lowlands of Luzon, the country's most populous region.

Yagi enhanced seasonal monsoon rains and unleashed downpours across Luzon, including in the densely populated capital region, metropolitan Manila, where classes and government work remained suspended on Tuesday.

At least 14 people died in landslides, floods and swollen rivers in northern and central provinces, including in Antipolo, a popular Catholic pilgrimage city and tourism destination west of Manila.

At least three residents, including a pregnant woman, died in a hillside landslide that buried shanties and four others drowned in creeks and rivers, Antipolo's disaster-mitigation officer Enrilito Bernardo Jr told The Associated Press by telephone.

Four other villagers remained missing after their house was swept away in the deluge, Bernardo said.

Thousands of travellers were stranded on Monday after sea travel was temporarily halted in several ports and 34 domestic flights were suspended due to the stormy weather.

Around 20 typhoons and storms hit the Philippines every year. (AP PHOTO)

A training ship, M/V Kamilla — which was anchored in Manila Bay off the Navotas port in the capital — was hit by another vessel that veered out of control due to rough waves

Kamilla's bridge was damaged and it later caught fire, prompting its 18 cadets and crew members to abandon the ship, the Philippine coast guard said.

A passing tugboat rescued 17 of those who abandoned the ship and one swam to safety, the coast guard said.

About 20 typhoons and storms batter the Philippines each year.