Tropical storm "Caloy" (International code name: Chanchu) continued to lash the Philippines Saturday, leaving at least 24 people dead as heavy rains triggered landslides and left parts of the country underwater.

Floodwaters submerged two provinces in the Central Visayas, and several villages in Sogod town, Southern Leyte, were cut off after landslides and floods damaged a bridge and a vital highway.

Caloy was tracking west-northwest toward the South China Sea and is expected to move on today morning, the weather bureau said.

In the worst accident during the storm, a motorboat, Mae Ann 5, capsized just off Masbate Friday.
Officials are unsure how many passengers were onboard, but the Coast Guard spokesman, Lt. Cmdr. Joseph Coyme, said 21 bodies had been fished out of the water.

"The report we got before 12 noon said 21 bodies were recovered and 18 passengers survived," Coyme said.

"Our operations will continue for the rest of the day, and we advise fishermen and ferries in affected areas not to venture out to sea because of huge waves," Coyme said.