Severe rainfall hits northeast Philippines

Manila: At least 12 people have died, with six missing, in two weeks of pounding rain that have engulfed villages and farms in northern Philippines.

More than 330,000 people from about 500 villages have been affected by the floods, with about 600 taking shelter in northeastern Aurora, the national disaster centre said.

A statement on Thursday says 11 people have drowned and a 3-year-old boy has died of dehydration in Aurora, Isabela and Cagayan provinces.

More than 100 schools are damaged while some road sections are not passable due to landslides.

Forecasters say a strong cold front associated with the northeast monsoon will persist throughout the next few days.