A typhoon struck the eastern part of the Philippines yesterday, bringing heavy rains and official warnings of floods and possible landslides.

In Manila, stormy weather ahead of Typhoon Conson forced schools to close, international flights to divert, and ships to be barred from leaving port.

There were no immediate reports of casualties as Conson swept westward packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometres an hour.

"Definitely certain areas of Bicol have been hit," weather forecaster Cris Perez said as the typhoon swept over a 300-kilometre front and clipped the Bicol region southeast of Manila late yesterday afternoon.

He said the eye of the typhoon passed within 40 kilometres of Daet, a city of about 82,000 people, at 4 p.m. (0800 GMT), and the weather service reported heavy rain over the area.

The typhoon was set to hit the main island of Luzon late yesterday night.

About 20 typhoons slam into the Philippines every year, causing widespread destruction and claiming many lives. Millions of poor Filipinos live in slums alongside rivers and waterways, making them particularly vulnerable to floods.

More than 1,000 people died in September and October last year when two fierce storms ripped through Manila and other parts of Luzon.

The civil defence office said yesterday there were no immediate reports of casualties in Bicol or elsewhere with the arrival of Condon, which marks the start of this year’s typhoon season for the Philippines.

"Residents living in low-lying (areas) and near mountain slopes... are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against flash floods and landslides," it said in an advisory.

"Those living along the coast... are advised to be on alert against big waves generated by the typhoon."