A sudden rainstorm flooded a riverside neighbourhood in the Philippines.

Residents in Caloocan City in Metro Manila watched as the rush of water swept debris downstream after a nearby river overflowed due to heavy rain on May 16.

Onlooker Michael Etcoy said: 'The flood has reached shoulder level in some parts of the village here in Barangay Camarin.'

State weather agency PAGASA said the easterlies were causing isolated rain showers and thunderstorms in parts of the country's northern islands.

The Philippines and other countries in Southeast Asia such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand are reaching the start of their tropical monsoon rainy season, which last until late November.

Soaring temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius are often followed by powerful tropical storms with thunder, lightning, rain and flash floods which cause rivers to flow faster and become dangerous.

Many under-developed nations, including the Philippines, struggle to cope with heavy rain due to under-investment in infrastructure.