46 reported dead due to Kristine —OCD

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Friday said 46 people have been reported dead due to the impact of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

Rescue workers continue to battle floodwaters to reach residents still trapped on the roofs of their homes as Kristine moved out to sea.

Tens of thousands remained displaced after fleeing floods driven by a torrential downpour that dumped two months' worth of rainfall in just two days in some areas.

"Many are still trapped on the roofs of their homes and asking for help," Andre Dizon, police director for the hard-hit Bicol region, told AFP. "We are hoping that the floods will subside today, since the rain has stopped."

He added that a shortage of rubber boats was "the greatest challenge" but that more were on their way.

Based on data from OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, most of the reported fatalities were from the Bicol Region with 28, followed by Calabarzon with 15. One fatality was reported each in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

The OCD also said that 20 persons were reported missing and seven others were reported injured due to Kristine.

In a speech on Friday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. expressed sympathy for the victims of Kristine.

"I would like to express my sympathy for our fellow Filipinos who have become victims by Tropical Storm Kristine. We are grateful for the resilience, leadership and proactive measures undertaken by our local government units which has saved many, many lives," Marcos said 

Government offices and schools across the main island of Luzon remained shuttered Friday, and storm surge warnings were still in place along the west coast, with potential waves as high as two meters.

'Help on the way'

In a statement, Marcos said he has ordered the full mobilization of military assets for relief operations for the victims of the cyclone.

"I have ordered the full mobilization of available AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) personnel and resources which can be committed to relief operations,” Marcos said. 

"Other uniformed agencies such as the PNP (Philippine National Police), BFP (Bureau of Fire Protection) and the Philippine Coast Guard are likewise placed under that status."

About 20 big storms and typhoons hit the Philippines or its surrounding waters each year, damaging homes and infrastructure and killing dozens of people.

But a recent study showed that storms in the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly forming closer to coastlines, intensifying more rapidly and lasting longer over land due to climate change. —with Agence France-Presse/KBK, GMA Integrated News