MANILA — Devastating floods have left residents of the Bicol region stranded on rooftops, desperate for rescue, as Tropical Storm Kristine (international name Trami) continues to pummel the area with record-breaking rainfall.
The deluge began earlier this week as Kristine, located just off the coast of Catanduanes, slowly approached land, allowing the storm to dump torrential downpours over the region. By Tuesday night, the situation had become dire, with floodwaters surging and calls for help flooding social media.
“The waters just kept rising and rising. It was only a matter of time before they reached our roofs,” said Maria Reyes, a resident of Libon, Albay. “We had no choice but to climb up and wait for someone to come save us.”
Rescue efforts have been hampered by the sheer scale of the flooding, with both government agencies and private volunteer groups struggling to reach all those in need. Many rescuers have even found themselves trapped by the rising waters, further complicating the crisis.
“It’s an extremely perilous situation,” said local disaster management official Javier Hernandez. “We’re doing everything we can, but the floodwaters are just overwhelming. We need more resources and manpower to get everyone to safety.”
Across Albay and Camarines Sur provinces, hundreds of residents remain stranded on rooftops, pleading for aid as they endure the elements. With Tropical Storm Kristine still centered nearby, the crisis is far from over, leaving those trapped in limbo, their fate uncertain.
“I just hope someone finds us soon,” Reyes said, her voice trembling. “We’re running out of food and the waters keep rising. I’m scared for my family.”
As the region reels from this devastating flood, the people of Bicol will undoubtedly need significant assistance in the days and weeks to come. For now, the focus remains on rescue and survival, as they weather this historic storm.