MANILA, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tropical storm Tembin caused heavy rains, floods, landslides in southern Philippines on Friday which also killed at least seven people, a government disaster official said.

Saripada Pacasum, head of the Lanao del Sur provincial disaster agency, said four people died in Madalum town, two in Wato and one in Tugaya.

Pacasum said four others are still missing in those towns.

The storm, locally known as Vinta, made landfall in Cateel, Davao Oriental in southern Philippines early on Friday, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

The storm is expected to exit the Philippines on Christmas eve.

The Philippines has been experiencing bad weather since Dec. 16, causing floods, landslides and killing more than 30 people.

On Thursday, a ferry carrying more than 250 passengers sank off Quezon province in rough weather, killing at least five.