MANILA, Philippines -- A slow-moving storm unleashed pounding rains that flooded many northern Philippine areas overnight into Monday, prompting authorities to suspend classes and government work in the capital region and warn thousands of residents to prepare to evacuate from flood-prone villages along a key river.

Tropical Storm Yagi was situated over the coastal waters of Vinzons town in Camarines Norte province, southeast of Manila, on Monday, packing sustained winds of up to 75 kilometers (47 miles) per hour and gusts reaching 90 kph (56 mph), according to the weather bureau.

The storm, known locally as Enteng, was advancing northwestward at 10 kph (6 mph) near the eastern coast of the main northern region of Luzon, where the weather bureau issued warnings of potential flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas.

A resident lost their life after being electrocuted in Naga city in eastern Camarines Sur province, where flooding had submerged numerous communities, according to police. Authorities are investigating whether the death was caused by the weather.

Storm warnings were issued across a large part of Luzon, the country’s most populated region, including metropolitan Manila, where schools at all levels and most government offices were closed due to the severe weather conditions.

Along the densely populated banks of Marikina River, located on the eastern outskirts of the capital, a siren was sounded in the morning to alert thousands of residents to be prepared for evacuation if the river water level continues to rise and spills over due to heavy rainfall.

In Northern Samar province, coast guard personnel employed a rope to rescue 40 villagers from two villages that were submerged in waist-deep floodwaters on Sunday, the coast guard reported.

Sea travel was temporarily suspended in numerous ports impacted by the storm, stranding approximately 2,400 ferry passengers and cargo workers. Additionally, nearly two dozen domestic flights were canceled due to the stormy conditions.

Heavy rains have also caused water levels in the Ipo dam in Bulacan province, north of Manila, to rise close to overflowing. As a result, authorities have scheduled a controlled release of a small amount of water later on Monday. They assure the public that this release will not pose a threat to villages downstream.

The Philippines is struck by approximately 20 typhoons and storms annually. Situated in the “Pacific Ring of Fire,” a zone encompassing much of the Pacific Ocean rim, the country experiences frequent volcanic eruptions and earthquakes . Consequently, the Southeast Asian nation ranks among the world's most disaster-prone countries.

In 2013, Typhoon Haiyan , one of the most powerful tropical cyclones ever recorded, left over 7,300 people dead or missing. It completely devastated villages, pushed ships inland, and displaced more than 5 million people across the central Philippines.