Philippine authorities have warned of flash floods and landslides in eastern provinces ahead of a tropical depression expected to bring heavy rains before the New Year holiday.
The tropical depression, locally named Usman, may intensify into a storm before making landfall over Eastern Samar province, 595 kilometres south-east of Manila, the weather bureau said.
Some 13,000 passengers have been stranded in seaports across the country as the coast guard suspended ferry services due to bad weather.
Usman was packing maximum sustained winds of 55km/h and gusts of up to 65km/h. It was moving west-north-west at 10km/h and was expected to make landfall late on Friday.
The weather bureau raised storm warnings over more than 20 other provinces due
to the tropical depression.
At least 3.7 million people were living in Usman's path, the national disaster risk management agency said.
"Moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flooding and landslides are expected," the weather bureau said in its latest bulletin, adding that residents in affected areas "are advised to take appropriate measures".
The weather bureau added that Usman may exit the Philippines late on December 30 or early December 31, which could dampen usually rowdy New Year's Eve celebrations.
Each year the Philippines is hit by an average of 20 cyclones causing floods, landslides and other accidents.
One of the strongest in recent memory, Typhoon Haiyan, hit the country in November 2013, killing more than 6300 people and displacing more than 4 million others.
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