145 reported dead, 37 missing due to Kristine, Leon —NDRRMC

The reported death toll due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and Typhoon Leon has increased to 145, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday.

In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said 37 people were also reported missing while 115 others were reported injured.

Kristine and Leon have affected a total of 7,033,922 people (1,788,630 families) in 17 regions, most of them in Bicol with 2,343,175, followed by Central Luzon with 1,061,766 and Calabarzon with 752,793.

Of the affected population, the NDRRMC said 333,951 people (86,565 families) were staying in evacuation centers while 427,059 persons (91,307 families) were taking shelter in other places.

Landslides and floods were monitored in some affected areas. A total of 111,177 houses were damaged — 104,740 partially and 6,437 totally.

The cost of damage to agriculture was estimated at P2,838,568,103 and to infrastructure at P3,617,943,026. For irrigation facilities, P32,620,000 worth of damage was also reported.

Problems with power supply, water supply, and communication line services were encountered in some affected areas.

A total of 92 seaports and three airports suspended operations. At seaports, 3,275 passengers, 793 rolling cargoes, 99 vessels, and 17 motorbancas were stranded.

Classes in 1,167 areas and work schedules in 782 areas were also suspended.

Due to the impact of Kristine and Leon, the NDRRMC said state of calamity was declared in the following areas:

• Dagupan City 
• Cavite Province
• Cuenca, Calaca, Agoncillo, Ibaan, Laurel, Tanauan, Santo Tomas, Batangas City, and Talisay in Batangas
• Quezon Province
• Santa Cruz, San Pedro, Victoria, Los Baños, Biñan, Calamba, and Cabuyao in Laguna 
• Albay Province
• Bulan, Irosin, Juban, Donsol, Castiula, and Matnog in Sorsogon
• Camarines Sur Province
• Catanduanes Province
• Camarines Norte Province
• 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 
• Barangays Kiling and San Juan in Alfonso Lista (Potia), Ifugao
• Quezon City

According to the NDRRMC, assistance worth P850,617,776 has been provided to the victims of the two cyclones so far.

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

In its 5 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Leon was located 395 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan with a maximum sustained winds of 165 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 205 kph.

Signal No. 3 has been hoisted over Batanes and the eastern portion of Babuyan Islands due Typhoon Leon, which PAGASA said could develop into a super typhoon.

The Philippines typically records an average of 20 tropical storms annually, often resulting in heavy rains, strong winds, and deadly landslides. —KBK, GMA Integrated News