Kristine forces cars to a standstill along flooded Maharlika Highway in Quezon

Only large vehicles were able to pass through the Maharlika Highway portion of Lopez, Quezon due to floods caused by heavy rainfall brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.

The Maharlika Highway serves as a gateway from Tagalog to the Bicol region but floods have stranded cars and other light vehicles, as reported by Jun Veneracion in 24 Oras on Thursday.

“We will no longer cross because the water is already deep,” a driver said.

Another motorist added, “We have no choice but to wait for the flood to subside.”

Among those affected were commuters who had to endure the hot confines inside their vans amid the non-stop downpour.

Also scratching their heads are families who were supposed to go on a vacation in Bicolandia.

“We were supposed to go on a trip to honor our father’s death,” a traveler lamented. “If we wait until tomorrow, we are expected to arrive by Saturday and we have nothing to catch by then.”

“Our budget is already running out because we thought we could proceed with our trip today,” she added.

Despite the situation, some enterprising individuals found opportunities, using makeshift wooden boats to ferry passengers and motorcyclists to the other side.

On the other hand, some residents chose to persevere, including a man who crossed the flood on foot to deliver a birthday cake.

The local government of Lopez has temporarily banned vehicles, except those used for emergencies, to cross the Maharlika Highway.

Quezon province is currently under Tropical Cyclone Signal No. 1 as of 8 p.m. Thursday, according to state weather bureau PAGASA. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/ RF, GMA Integrated News