LEGAZPI CITY -- The death toll due to landslide, flooding and vehicular accident triggered by heavy rains for the past two days rose to 20  in the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Norte and Albay, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol said on Monday.

Caption: Overflowing Bicol River sends many towns under water. ALEX BUSTAMANTE

        OCD report said landslide hit Catanduanes burying alive five villagers in barangays Bagong Sirang and Osmeña all in Baras town.

        Landslide spawned by heavy rains on Sunday were noted in 17 villages in the towns of Bato with 2 villages, San Miguel - 3, San Andres 3, Caramoran – 2 and Baras with 7 villages all in Catanduanes.

Caption: FLASHFLOOD. The swollen Bicol River brings floods to the low-lying Camarines Sur towns of Bula, Nabua, Baao, Bato, Minalabac, Milaor, Gainza and Libmanan including portions of Naga City following continuous rains that hit Bicol last week. ALEX BUSTAMANTE

        Landslides damaged the spillways in barangays Agdan, JMA and Genitligan all in Baras town in Catanduanes, while partial damages to agriculture were placed at P100,000.

        OCD said two people died due to drowning due to flooding and big waves in Naga City and Pioduran, Albay while three fishermen are still missing in the coastal town of Bato, Catanduanes.

        In Basud town in Camarines Norte, nine passengers of a transport died when a huge  acasia  tree uprooted by strong winds and rains fell into the bus while it was negotiating the Maharlika Highway at  brgy. Laniton. Twelve other passengers were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals in Daet town.

        Police said Eddie Transit carrying about 20 passengers were bound for Daet from Naga City when the freak accident took place on Sunday.

        In Matnog, Sorsogon, a family of four were also killed and several people were injured in a vehicular accident when a Silver Star Bus bound for Samar from Manila lost its control and turned turtle at about 3 AM  Saturday in brgy Pawa.

        OCD said the continuous heavy rains that triggered landslide an flooding rendered the national road connecting the towns of Caramoran and Pandan in Catanduanes was rendered impassable to light and heavy vehicles.

        While the roads connecting Viga and Virac were cleared of landslide debris and now being used as alternative access route towards the town of Pandan and Caramoran, passing thru the northern towns of Panganiban and Bagamanoc.

        In Camarines Sur  flood waters  submerged the low lying areas of 17 towns and two cities among them are: Baao, Bato, Nabua, Buhi, Bula, Pili, Bombon, Cabusao, Calabanga,Camaligan, Canaman, Gainza, Libmanan, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, San Fernando including the cities of Naga and Iriga.

        The road stretching the Maharlika Highway from the towns of San Fernando to Bato were temporarily rendered impassable due to flooding stranding hundreds of vehicles bound for Manila-Legazpi routes.

        Flooding was also noted in low-lying areas of Libon, Oas, Polangui and Ligao City all in Albay.