Rains, floods torment Bicol

The provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, and Camarines Sur were reeling yesterday from the damage wrought by torrential rains that submerged many towns in floodwaters, cut power, and paralyzed traffic.

Catanduanes, which had been experiencing heavy rains for weeks, suffered from flash floods in most of its northern towns like Bagamanoc, resulting in the destruction of farmlands and drowning of livestock.

In Panganiban town, the Cabuyoan Elementary School as well as its evacuation center was under kneedeep water. Classes were immediately cancelled, but teachers rushed to save school materials from being washed away.

In Camarines Sur, residents were taken by surprise as they woke up to a water world on Friday with disaster officials rushing to evacuate residents of low-lying areas.

Naga City, the capital, was not spared with most of its many roads particularly in Barangays San Felipe, Triangulo, Con Pequeña, Bagumbayan Norte, and Tabuco impassable due to floodwaters.

A landslide was reported by Camarines Sur Governor Migz Villafuerte in Presentacion town and the road leading to Caramoan was impassable.

Meanwhile, at least five fishermen from Camarines Norte were reported missing at sea off Tinambac, Camarines Sur, said Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) Director Che Bermejo.

CATANDUANES UNDER WATER — Schools in the northern towns of Catanduanes, including this evacuation center at the Cabuyoan Elementary School, are submerged in floodwater caused by torrential rains in the province and in Camarines Sur on Friday. Classes...