In Manila, stormy weather ahead of Typhoon Conson forced schools to close, international flights to divert, and ships to be barred from leaving port.

There were no immediate reports of casualties as Conson swept westward packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometres (75 miles) an hour.

"Definitely certain areas of Bicol have been hit," weather forecaster Cris Perez told AFP as the typhoon swept over a 300-kilometre front and clipped the Bicol region southeast of Manila late Tuesday afternoon.

He said the eye of the typhoon passed within 40 kilometres of Daet, a city of about 82,000 people, at 4:00 pm (0800 GMT), and the weather service reported heavy rain over the area.

The typhoon is set to hit the main island of Luzon Tuesday night.

About 20 typhoons slam into the Philippines every year, causing widespread destruction and claiming many lives. Millions of poor Filipinos live in slums alongside rivers and waterways, making them particularly vulnerable to floods.

More than 1,000 people died in September and October last year when two fierce storms ripped through Manila and other parts of Luzon.

The civil defence office said Tuesday there were no immediate reports of casualties in Bicol or elsewhere with the arrival of Condon, which marks the start of this year's typhoon season for the Philippines.

"Residents living in low-lying (areas) and near mountain slopes... are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures against flash floods and landslides," it said in an advisory.

"Those living along the coast... are advised to be on alert against big waves generated by the typhoon."

Storm alerts were hoisted across Metropolitan Manila and nearly 30 provinces on Luzon, home to about half of the country's 92 million people, the weather service said.

Afternoon classes in elementary schools in Manila were suspended, while aviation authorities diverted several incoming flights to Clark airport about 80 kilometres north of the capital.

"There was poor visibility because of the heavy rains. They could not see the runway," said Connie Bungag, a spokeswoman for the airport authority.

Flights operated by several small domestic carriers were also cancelled, while the coast guard barred ships from setting sail from Manila.

Coast guard spokesman Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo said ships already en route to Manila should take shelter at the nearest port of call.

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