Relief, rescue ops in CamSur hampered by above-head flood, stranded vehicles

Relief and rescue operations in some towns in Camarines Sur have been challenging before assistance was extended to residents forced to stay on the roof of houses because of above-head flooding, according to the report of Ian Cruz on "24 Oras" Friday.

GMA Integrated News accompanied the rescue truck of the MMDA Public Safety Division and travelled from Ssan Fernando to Milaor, Camarines Sur.

Cruz reported seeing houses and vehicles immersed in floodwaters.

Upon reaching the bridge of Bicol River, which has overflowed, the rescue team had difficulty passing through the area because of parked cars at the side of the road.

At the end of the bridge, the floodwaters were deeper and there were residents staying on the second floor of their houses.

The people walking towards Naga City had to wade through floodwaters and some had to hold on to ropes tied at the side of the road to make sure they are not swept away by the strong current.

Cruz chanced upon Michael Mirasol is on his way home to Guinobatan, Albay.

Mirasol shared that his mother, grandmother and younger sibling died in a landslide.

"Panalangin na lang sir yun lang nagpapatatag...nanay saka kapatid ko yun sir eh," he said.

Rosalie Julianes had been walking from Ragay town to help a child in Naga City. She was given a ride on the rescue vehicle.

"Kukunin ko lang po ang anak ko kasi ... nung isang araw pa yon di na ano wala na pagkain walang tubig di naman makababa kasi baha nga," she said.

The Philippine Red Cross also rescued the stranded residents.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police - Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) handed out food for those affected by the typhoon.

Nearing Milaor town, there were several vehicles that were stranded and due to deep floodwaters could not move on to Naga City and other parts of the Bicol Region.

In Milaor, Cruz reported that floodwaters were at above-head level.

Some residents are staying on the second floor of their houses waiting for relief goods and drinking water to arrive.

On normal days, the travel to Naga City is only a few minutes but with the deep floodwaters and stranded vehicles along the way.

"Pinadala po kami ng aming butihung chairman sa utos ng ating mahal na presidente para tumulong sa mga residente... mahirap pong makapasok yun pong ating sasakyan papunta rito kahit yun tulong pong mga relief goods di makapasok," said MMDA Public Safety team leader Allan Longcop.

In Naga City, Cruz observed people wading through the floodwaters and noted that a small boat that is usually reserved for the fluvial parade of the local fiesta is now used to transport residents.

According to the Naga CDRRMO, seven barangays are inundated and there are residents in Barangays Abella, Igualdad, and Sabang that have to be rescued while about 4,000 individuals are staying in evacuation centers. — BAP, GMA Integrated News