125 reported dead amid Kristine, Leon —NDRRMC

A total of 125 people were reported dead amid the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storms Kristine and Leon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday.

In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC also said that 28 people were reported missing and 115 were reported injured.

Floods and landslides were reported in different areas.

A total of 7,134,954 people or 1,789,276 families were affected by the two weather disturbances in 17 regions in the country, the NDRRMC said.

Most of the affected individuals were reported in the Bicol Region with 2,746,214, followed by Central Luzon with 1,056,460 and Calabarzon with 701,985.

Of the affected population, 531,387 people or 121,814 families were staying inside evacuation centers while 403,727 people or 84,137 families were taking shelter in other places.

A total of 83,777 houses were damaged — 78,286 partially and 5,491 totally.

Damage to agriculture worth P2,802,789,856 and to infrastructure worth P1,543,099,260 were reported due to the impact of Kristine and Leon.

Power outages, water supply problems, and communication line issues were reported in the affected areas.

Due to Kristine’s and Leon’s threat, 92 seaports have suspended operations which stranded 3,529 passengers, 745 cargoes, 93 vessels, and 17 motorbancas.

Three airports also have suspended operations.

State of calamity was declared in the following areas:

• Dagupan City
• Entire province of Cavite
• Entire province of Batangas
• Tagkawayan, Mulanay, and General Luna in Quezon
• Santa Cruz, San Pedro, Victoria, Los Baños, and Biñan in Laguna
• Entire province of Albay
• Bulan in Sorsogon
• Entire province of Camarines Sur
• Entire province of Catanduanes
• Entire province of Camarines Norte
• Naga City 
• Calbayog in Samar
• Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Maslog, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan, and Maydolong in Eastern Samar
• Magpet in Cotabato
• Alfonso Lista in Ifugao
• Quezon City

Assistance worth P719,367,919 has been provided to the victims so far, according to the NDRRMC.

Kristine entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on October 21 and made a landfall over Divilacan, Isabela on October 24. Kristine exited PAR on October 25.

In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Tuesday, PAGASA said Leon was located 645 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over the following 23 areas:

Luzon

• Batanes
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Isabela
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Apayao
• Kalinga
• Abra
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• Benguet
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• La Union
• Aurora
• The northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands (General Nakar, Infanta, Real)
• Camarines Norte
• the eastern portion of Camarines Sur (Tinambac, Siruma, Goa, Lagonoy, San Jose, Garchitorena, Caramoan, Presentacion, Tigaon, Calabanga, Saglay)
• Catanduanes
• the eastern portion of Albay (Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Tiwi, Malilipot, Malinao, Santo Domingo, Manito)
• The northeastern portion of Sorsogon (Prieto Diaz, City of Sorsogon, Gubat)
• Visayas
• The eastern portion of Northern Samar (San Roque, Pambujan, Catubig, Laoang, Palapag, Gamay, Lapinig, Mapanas, Mondragon)
• The northern portion of Eastern Samar (Jipapad, Arteche, Oras, San Policarpo)

Leon is moving west northwestward at 10 kph with strong to storm-force winds that extend outwards up to 640 km from the center.

"This tropical cyclone is expected to rapidly intensify throughout its passage over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category within the next 12 hours," PAGASA said.

"Furthermore, there is an increasing chance that LEON will reach super typhoon category during its period of closest approach to Batanes,” it added.

--VAL/ GMA Integrated News