Hours of non-stop rains from tropical storm Dante brought a deadly deluge to a number of villages all over the country, sending residents scampering for safety even as they try saving belongings.

Residents of Romblon on Wednesday struggled to save their items from flooding and intense rains two hours before tropical storm Dante made landfall over the area.

Even before the storm's landfall,  several roads have already turned into river, electric posts were toppled and some houses swept away by flood from rains and strong winds, according to Cedric Castillo’s report on “24 Oras.” 

A video taken by Christy Romero showed that several houses have been submerged in floodwater in Ferrol, Romblon while strong winds threatened to topple down trees.

The residents placed their pets on basins to keep them safe, such as a dog that had just recently given birth.

Meanwhile, rushing water almost reached a bridge in Odiongan, Romblon.

The flooding in Barangay Taboboan, meanwhile, almost reached the roofs of some houses and submerged several plantations.

Photos show a resident aboard a basin being carried by rescuers through the flood while two persons trapped in a chest-deep flood were seen reaching out for help.

Leyte

According to YouScopper Benjie Fiel Andriano, the floodwater in Capoocan, Leyte was knee-deep in their area.

In Baybay, the rains brought by Dante created mini waterfalls on the side of a highway after the Makinhas River overflowed.

A creek in the area also seemingly turned into a river due to its strong current.

Several areas in Maasin City, Southern Leyte also experienced widespread flooding.

In a video taken by Silvina Roxanne Cutamora, a family was unable to do anything after their car slowly sunk under neck-deep water. 

Bohol

Several motorists faced rushing floodwater on the national highway in Lila, Bohol.

Due to the effects of Dante, roads and plantations in Loboc resembled a river. Several establishments also became flooded.

Meanwhile, strong winds and rain toppled over several trees and electricity posts in Loay.

Surigao del Norte

The same destruction occurred in Mainit, Surigao del Norte, where the source of drinking water was destroyed.

In the neighboring area of Malimono, several barangays became submerged in waist-deep floodwater.

Some residents have already been rescued.

Affected families

Meanwhile, around 200 residents living beside the Tubay River were shown wading through the flood in Agusan del Norte as they were rescued by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).  This was after the river’s water level increased.

Operatives of the PCG also monitor various ports across the country.

Based on data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, around three individuals have died due to Dante while two were injured and one is still missing.

Meanwhile, 566 families or 2,642 individuals were affected. Of this, 158 families or 604 individuals are in evacuation centers.

Malacañang said the Department of Social Welfare and Development has a standby fund of P1.105 billion for the affected residents.

“Let us, therefore, remain alert and vigilant, and cooperate with authorities while observing the minimum public health standards against COVID-19 during this storm,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News