A second tropical storm in as many weeks battered the northern Philippines on Wednesday, killing at least two people, as forecasters warned that the still-reeling capital could see more flooding.

Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III scrambled to avert another crisis when hundreds of state weather agency employees protested over their pay and warned that forecasting services could deteriorate.

Tropical Storm Kai-Tak slammed ashore Wednesday morning in northeastern Isabela province with maximum winds of 100 kilometers (60 miles) per hour and higher gusts. It is expected to traverse northern farming provinces and exit along Luzon Island's western seaboard possibly as a powerful typhoon heading toward southern China in the direction of Hong Kong.

The head of the disaster-relief agency, Benito Ramos, reported two deaths, including a man who drowned while swimming in Ilocos Norte province. He said that some roads were flooded knee-deep and government forecasters warned of intense rains that may drench the sprawling capital city that is still reeling from last week's monsoon deluge.