Thousands of families have been displaced as flashfloods triggered by heavy rains hit southern Philippines, officials said Tuesday.

Over 6,000 families were displaced in the city of Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte province, when flood waters submerged their villages following heavy downpour that started on Monday, said Social Welfare and Development Information officer Lucilo Benerado.

A river in that city overflowed, causing flooding in the city's 13 villages.

In the nearby city of Iligan, some 600 families were also affected by similar flooding.

The local disaster control department is closely monitoring the situation and preparing for evacuation of the affected residents if the situation worsens.