Manila  - Weakened storm Parma returned to hit the Philippines' northernmost provinces for a second time after hovering at sea for two days, the weather bureau said Wednesday.

Nathaniel Cruz, chief weather forecaster, said Parma made landfall on Tuesday evening in Ilocos Norte province with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometres per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 100 kph.

Cruz said Parma was almost stationary and was expected to remain in the area for the next two days.

The weather bureau advised residents of low-lying areas or near mountain slopes to take precautionary measures against landslides and flash floods.

Parma first hit on Saturday with maximum sustained winds of 195 kph and gusts of up to 230 kph, tearing off roofs, toppling electric posts and uprooting trees.

Twenty-two people were killed when Parma first hit the northern provinces, where it also caused damage to agriculture and infrastructure worth an estimated 31 million dollars.

Cruz said Parma was pulled back by the more powerful typhoon Melor that briefly entered the Philippines on Tuesday before moving towards southern Japan.

A week before Parma hit the country, storm Ketsana pummelled Manila and outlying areas causing massive floods that killed nearly 300 people and displaced more than 3 million. (dpa)