Heavy rains and floods caused by typhoon Sepat and the southwest monsoon have affected close to 400,000 people in the Philippines, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) said on Saturday.

Hundreds were forced to leave their homes as at least 20 villages were flooded in southern Luzon while 80,000 families were directly affected in Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon, the NDCC said.

The Philippine weather agency PAGASA said Sepat will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon, which will bring occasional rains over Luzon and the western part of the Visayas in the coming days.

Residents along coastal areas have been urged to be on guard against big waves and storm surges generated by the typhoon. Those living in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes have been asked to take all necessary precautions against possible flash floods and landslides.

Landslides frequently strike the Philippines during monsoons and typhoons. Landslides triggered by a super typhoon last December killed hundreds in central Bicol region.

At least 1,000 were killed in February 2006 in a landslide disaster in south-central Leyte region during a tropical storm.