Manila, Oct 30 (IANS): Typhoon Yutu made landfall in Philippines' Isabela province on Tuesday, according to the country's disaster management agency.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that Yutu slammed into Isabela at around 4 a.m., packing maximum sustained winds of 150 km per hour and gusts of up to 210 kph, reports Xinhua news agency.

It was moving westward at 20 kph. Moderate to heavy rain is expected over Northern and Central Luzon.

According to PAGASA, flooding and landslides were a threat to both Northern and Central Luzon, with three-metre high storm surges likely to wash over the coasts of Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, La Union, and Pangasinan.

PAGASA advised fishermen and others with small vessels not to set sail in areas covered by the gale warning. Larger vessels should also watch out for big waves.

The typhoon will track through Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet and La Union.

It is expected to leave the Philippines by Wednesday.

Typhoon Yutu is the Philippines' 18th tropical cyclone for 2018. The country usually gets an average of 20 tropical cyclones annually.