MANILA, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines is bracing for Tropical Storm Podul that will hit the northern Luzon island between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, the state weather bureau said Tuesday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Tropical Storm Podul will bring more rains starting Tuesday night in northern Luzon province, Metro Manila, central Philippines and some parts in the northern Mindanao and the Zamboanga Peninsula.
But even before the storm hit land many of the provinces in the northern Philippine provinces were already flooded by rains, submerging many houses, with many schools closed.
In Metro Manila, a number of city roads were also flooded, making it difficult for light vehicles to pass.
"Residents, especially those living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to floods and rain-induced landslides, are advised to take precautionary measures, coordinate with local disaster risk reduction and management offices, and continue monitoring for updates," the state weather bureau said.
The bureau added occasional gusty conditions may also occur in the central and northern Philippines due to the southwest monsoon.
"Sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of areas under storm signals and seaboards of Batanes province due to potentially rough sea conditions," the bureau said.
Many of the provincial disaster units had alerted their emergency workers in anticipation of the storm.
At least two people died and two others injured after Severe Tropical Storm Bailu barrelled through parts of the main Luzon island on Saturday, local disaster officials said.
Landslides and flash floods are common across the Philippines during the rainy season, especially when typhoon hits.
The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world mainly due to its location in the Pacific Ring of Fire and Pacific typhoon belt.
On average, the archipelagic country experiences 20 typhoons every year, some of which are intense and truly devastating.
