A large severe tropical storm, Trami, has wreaked havoc in the Philippines, leaving more than 20 people dead.

Trami made landfall in the northern part of Luzon Island early on Thursday morning.

The storm has triggered flooding and inundated houses across the island.

Local media say more than 20 fatalities have been reported in the Bicol region of southern Luzon, and authorities are trying to assess the situation.

Video footage shows Philippine Air Force personnel in rubber rafts rescuing people trapped in submerged buildings where they were taking shelter.

Schools and administrative offices across Luzon, including the capital Manila, have been closed since Wednesday.

Disaster response authorities say about 200,000 people have been evacuated so far.

The tropical storm is forecast to move westward in the South China Sea. Philippine authorities warn that the heavy rain and flooding are likely to continue, causing more damage in the country.