HEAVY rains from a storm and the seasonal monsoon have caused widespread flooding in the Philippine capital Manila and nearby provinces, shutting down schools and government offices.

Thousands of people were evacuated from severely inundated communities, some with rapidly flowing waters more than neck high.

Some residents were forced to take shelter in the second floor of homes where the water had reached the ceiling of the ground floor.

Manila airport authorities said the rains and radar problems caused delays and the cancellation of at least 28 domestic flights to and from northern and central Philippines affected by Tropical Storm Fung-Wong.

At least three international flights heading to Manila were diverted to Clark International Airport in northern Pampanga province.

Flooded streets caused traffic gridlock across the city of 12 million, with many motorists and other commuters unaware of the extent of the flooding due to a lack of reports from local authorities.

Presidential spokeswoman Abigail Valte said work in government offices in the capital and 15 other provinces has been suspended.

Weather forecaster Dioni Sarmiento said more than 10inches of rain fell over a part of Metro Manila used as a rainfall gauge over a 24-hour period ending early yesterday.

Manila mayor Joseph Estrada said residents in a number of slum communities were evacuated to safety but added that floodwaters were receding because major drainage pipes had been cleared before the rainy season.