MANILA — Authorities in the Philippines have evacuated more than 15,000 people in Metro Manila and some parts of the country as heavy monsoon rain, compounded by a tropical storm, flooded the city and nearby provinces.

"We ask residents of affected areas to remain alert and vigilant, take precautionary measures, and cooperate with their respective local authorities," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the national disaster agency said that around 14,000 residents have been evacuated near the Marikina river in Metro Manila as the water rose to a dangerous level due to nonstop heavy monsoon rains.

The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority also reported that several areas in the capital remain flooded.

The national disaster agency reported that authorities also evacuated nearly 1,800 residents in three towns in Rizal province, east of Manila, due to flood threats, adding that some residents in Mindoro province have also been evacuated.

The Philippine Coast Guard said its personnel also rescued more than 300 people in flood-stricken areas in Cavite province.

Local media reported that floodwaters submerged more than two dozen villages in Pampanga province, north of Manila.

The Philippines, a Southeast Asian archipelago of more than 7,600 islands, sees about 20 tropical storms a year but a warmer Pacific Ocean will make storms more powerful and bring heavier rain, meteorologists say.

In some parts of the Philippine capital region, an urban sprawl of more than 13 million people, floodwaters, in places waist-deep, cut off roads to light vehicles. — Agencies