MANILA — Floodwaters continue to rise in various areas of Oriental Mindoro, and rescue operations are ongoing for residents trapped in their homes as heavy rains persist.

At 11:00 p.m. Wednesday, PAGASA raised the Red Heavy Rainfall Warning for the provinces of Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, and Romblon.

According to Baco Mayor Allan Roldan, first responders from the MDRRMO rescued three individuals—including a minor—at around 10:45 p.m. on Wednesday, after they were trapped in their home due to rapidly rising floodwaters in Foster Village, Barangay Sta. Rosa 1.

“Gamit ang mga rescue rope at flotation devices, ligtas na naialis ang mga biktima sa kanilang kinaroroonan sa kabila ng hamon ng malakas na agos ng baha,“ said Roldan.

Vicente Gahol, head of the PDRRMO of Oriental Mindoro, reported that due to the intense rainfall in the province, the Bucayao and Panggalaan rivers had overflowed.

Nearly 40 barangays have been flooded, including those in Calapan City and the towns of Baco, San Teodoro, Puerto Galera, Naujan, Pola, Victoria, Socorro, and Gloria.

Calapan has the highest number of flooded barangays with 14, followed by Naujan with 8 and Pola with 7.

Floodwaters have reached depths of 3 to 4 feet.

The Strong Republic Nautical Highway is also impassable due to high flooding in Barangays Bucayao and Panggalaan in Calapan City.

6x6 trucks from the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Police and dump trucks from the provincial government have been deployed to help stranded motorists cross the flooded areas.

Seventeen families, or 97 individuals, are currently staying in evacuation centers, while 394 families, or 1,970 individuals, are sheltering with relatives.