Flood-hit Batangas Prov'l Hospital halts admissions amid Kristine

The Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery town has temporarily stopped admitting patients after floodwater entered the facility amid the continuous rains caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

The hospital ward and emergency room are currently flooded, the Batangas Public Information Office (PIO) said in a Facebook post at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

"We are reminding everyone that the hospital will temporarily implement 'NO ADMISSION' or won't accept further patients for now," the PIO said in Filipino.

Based on photos posted by the Batangas PIO, electricity was unavailable in the hospital as people were relying on emergency lights.

The provincial government said it was coordinating with Lemery's municipal disaster risk reduction and management office to provide immediate response to the hospital.

Batangas is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 based on 11 a.m. bulletin of weather service PAGASA.

The state weather bureau said the tropical cyclone is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Friday afternoon.

Government work and classes in Luzon also remain suspended due to inclement weather. — VDV, GMA Integrated News