Manila  - The death toll in a storm that battered the Philippines over the weekend has risen to 24 with nearly half a million people displaced, the Office of Civil Defence said Tuesday.

Storm Halong blew out of the Philippines overnight and headed towards Okinawa, Japan after causing landslides and flashfloods in northern and central provinces, the weather bureau said.

More than 416,000 people were displaced by Halong in at least five northern and central provinces, the Office of Civil Defence said.

Fifteen people were killed in the northern province of Pangasinan, one of the worst hit areas, where more than 172,000 residents were displaced, the office added.

Four fatalities were also reported in nearby La Union province, two in the central province of Negros Occidental, one each in the provinces of Zambales, Antique and Benguet.

Many of the victims drowned in flashfloods, died when struck by tin sheets torn off from roofs by Halong's strong winds or were buried in collapsed structures.

The Office of Civil Defence said Halong damaged infrastructure and crops worth an estimated 180.94 million pesos (4.31 million dollars), including 18,262 houses. (dpa)