MANILA, Philippines (4th UPDATE) – Southern Luzon was not spared from the heavy rains brought about by Topical Storm Mario (international name: Fung-Wong) on Friday, September 19, with Rizal province bearing the brunt of the storm’s wrath in the region.

As of posting, rains continued to batter provinces in the regions of Calabarzon and Mimaropa, causing trip cancellations and high floodwaters, stranding families and passengers.  (READ: #MarioPH intensifies Signal No. 2 in 7 areas)

In Rizal, one of the provinces on red alert, water is above head. About 20 families from North Libis, Barangay Banaba, are waiting for help from the San Mateo municipal government to be rescued, according to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).

According to DZBB radio, about 6,687 individuals or 1,856 families have been rescued from 15 barangays in San Mateo and are currently in evacuation centers. In San Mateo Municipal Hall, relief packing is in full force for affected residents. In Cainta, about 1,200 families or 4,000 individuals have already evacuated.

The Rizal Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Managament Center (PDRRMC) also confirmed the death of a 69-year-old woman due to head injuries after falling into a creek. 

Cainta is now under a state of calamity.

‘Second worst after Ondoy’

In an interview with ANC, Cainta Mayor Kit Nieto said 3 of the 7 trucks they have deployed to rescue people are stranded. Two of their rescue boats are motorized, but the rest are manual, he said, due to the narrow streets. Rescue operations are ongoing, although most are already in evacuation centers.

“My concern right now is to make sure nobody gets harmed, that’s why I’m trying to focus on rescue operations,” Nieto said. “After Ondoy I think this would be the next big thing.”

Nieto said the volume of water brought by Mario is comparable to that from Ondoy, adding “this has not actually happened for a long, long time.”

“Hopefully if rains would cease, then we can start recovering fast,” he said.

Rizal PDRRMC officer Don Malonzo told DZBB, minor injuries have been reported. In all of Rizal, Malonzo estimates no less than 5,000 families were evacuated.

The Antipolo City covernment and Eastern Rizal Miners Association have also deployed two trucks to transport stranded passengers from SM Masinag to Sta. Lucia East and vice versa, according to Antipolo’s Public Information Office.

The same agency said various roads are impassable to all vehicles, including Marcos Highway, VV Soliven, Sumulong Highway Extension, and Ortigas Avenue Extension. Passable roads include the Floodway, Angono-Taytay Coastal Road (Baytown) and Taytay Highway 2000.

Cancelled trips

Hundreds of passengers are also stranded due to canceled trips. As of 11am, the Philippine Coast Guard reported 440 passengers are stranded in Batangas port, as well as 140 rolling cargos and 4 vessels. The port has suspended travel to Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro and to Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro. Trips from Romblon to Batangas have also been suspended.

In Occidental Mindoro, Ticol Bridge in Pitogo Creek is reportedly close to breaking point, according to the PIA, because of the huge waves from the Busuanga River due to the heavy rainfall. Barangays Pitogo, Aguas and Rizal will be affected if Ticol Bridge breaks.

Areas in Batangas are also under constant monitoring, specifically those around Poblacion. According to Bauan administrator and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management officer Antonio de Lacy Jr, light vehicles can no longer pass barangays Bolo, San Roque, and San Miguel.

In San Roque, over 42 families have been rescued up from 24 families in the morning. According to DZMM radio, over 60 families have also been rescued from Bauan, San Juan, San Pascual, Calatagan and Batangas City. Two landslides were also reported by the PDRRMC in Mabini and Bauan, while Calatagan, Talisay, Cuenca and Lipa City have all experienced power interruptions.

It is not only in Batangas port that passengers are stranded. In Quezon, travel from Dalahican, Lucena City, heading toward Balanacan, Marinduque, were suspended due to Mario. Hundreds of passengers are reportedly stranded at Dalahican port, according to the PIA.

Laguna was not spared of Mario’s effects either. The City of Calamba, specifically areas serviced by Meralco, are reporting power interruption or brownout.

In Cavite, Governor Jonvic Remulla has also ordered forced evacuation of residents in the coastal towns of Rosario, Noveleta, some parts of General Trias, and Kawit including Bacoor City and parts of Imus City – all of which are flood-prone areas. – Rappler.com 

Follow Rappler’s live blog for more information, photos, and videos from areas affected by Typhoon #MarioPH (Fung-Wong).