MANILA — Massive flooding that trapped many residents calling for rescue has hit most provinces in the Bicol region, particularly Albay and Camarines Sur, as Tropical Storm Kristine dumped unprecedented rainfall.

Severe flooding was reported in Bicol and nearby provinces as early as Monday as Kristine — located east of Virac, Catanduanes on Tuesday afternoon — slowly approached land, allowing it to dump even more rain over time.

The inundation then became dire by Tuesday night as floodwaters rose and calls for rescue surged on social media, straining government and privately led rescue efforts and making the situation perilous as well for rescuers.

Naga City, Camarines Sur now flooded due to #KristinePH; LGU calls for addt'l rescue vehicles

Cedric Daep of the Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) told TV Patrol Express early Wednesday that the torrential rains brought by Kristine on Albay had reached record-breaking levels. 

Daep said that in 17 hours, the rainfall amount hit 413 millimeters, nearing the 467 millimeters dumped by the deadly Typhoon Reming in 2006. 

He noted that the highest recorded rainfall in the province occurred in November 1969, when it reached 484.6 millimeters.

"Pero overall, kung kasama pa 'yung ibang rainfall kung kelan nag-umpisa 'yung ulan umabot na tayo ng 500 millimeters, lampas, so expected natin ang massive flooding all over the province," Daep said, adding that they expect the unrelenting rains to persist.

(But, overall, we have had more than 500 mm so massive flooding is expected all over the province)

Local officials and private groups rushed Tuesday night to rescue residents trapped in their homes as the torrent of floodwaters turned Bicol neighborhoods into lakes, prompting authorities to advise people to move to higher ground and patiently wait for rescue. 

They also called for more pump boats and rescue trucks capable of wading through floods several feet high.

Hanging bridge sa Pio Duran, Albay, bumagsak dahil sa baha

Engineer Dante Baclao, officer in charge of APSEMO, told TV Patrol Express that it was the "first time" that Albay experienced these life-threatening floods, which he said prompted Albay Gov. Baby Glenda Ong-Bongao to order evacuations on Tuesday.

"Para mailigtas, 'yung mga tumulong 'yung ano 'yung police, 'yung army tsaka 'yung assets nung provincial government from Albay ang ginamit," Baclao said.

(The police and army helped with the rescue. We also used assets of the provincial government)

He said more than 1,000 have been rescued and are staying in evacuation centers.

"Doon naman sa sentro mismo ng Libon, merong pitong barangay dun na kailangan nila ... ng tulong ang kaso, talagang mataas [ang baha] hindi na kaya ng mga rescuers 'yung situation kasi mataas 'yung tubig," he said.

(There are also seven barangays in Libon that need help but the floodwaters are too high for rescuers to get through)

Ilang bahay sa Libon, Albay, lubog sa baha

'Kristine' rains trigger landslide in Taft, Eastern Samar

Albay on Tuesday was placed under state of calamity — a declaration that triggers the release of more disaster funds and also implements price freezes on basic goods.

As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, Baclao said, a total of 4,948 families or 700,095 individuals were brought to evacuation shelters.

Ilang lugar binaha dahil sa Bagyong Kristine; libo-libo stranded sa pantalan