The Philippine government confirmed on Monday that at least two people were killed due to heavy rains and strong winds caused by tropical storm Saola.

National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRMMC) chief Benito T. Ramos disclosed that one passenger of the roll on- roll off (RORO) vehicle M/V Super Shuttle which capsized in the northern Philippine province of Romblon died while another man in Antique in central Philippines drowned.

Ramos identified the fatalities as Ernest Flores, 60, and Ronald Necor, 33. The chief cook of M/V Super Shuttle, Edger Vecimo, was also injured.

In a report, the NDRMCC said a total of 28,631 people in seven provinces in northern and central Philippines were affected by floods and strong winds caused by tropical storm Saola.

The agency warned that the worst is not yet over after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the storm will continue to affect the northern part of the country possibly until Thursday.

Due to floods caused by heavy rains, classes were suspended in a number of schools in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The Philippine Senate has also announced the suspension of work to allow employees to go home early.

Strong winds also damaged power lines which caused power outages in a number of cities in northern Philippines.

The Philippine government said it has set aside 6.8 million pesos (162,160 US dollars) to augment the resources of local government units affected by the storm.