A truck plunged into a flooded ditch while trying to overtake a bus as Typhoon Saola batters the Philippines today.

The white vehicle was stuck in slow traffic wading through a deluge when it fell into the drainage canal covered by dirty water in Batangas province in the northern region.

CCTV footage shows the truck trying to pass through the narrow space beside the red bus in a bid to cut through traffic before unwittingly driving through the hole.

The driver and his passengers were unhurt while local authorities helped tow the minitruck off the sewers.

In a statement, the local government of Lemery said: ‘We want to remind everyone to be careful when the flood is high. There are drainage canals on either side of the road, which can be dangerous to drivers.'

The officers also helped ease traffic in the area after helping the driver take his vehicle to a repair shop.

While no casualties were reported, Saola locally named Goring, has caused widespread flooding, swamping homes and destroying cops. It is expected to leave the country for Taiwan on Wednesday.