Tropical Storm Kristine brings floods in Visayas, Mindanao

Since Monday, several provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao have experienced the adverse effects of Tropical Storm Kristine.

According to GMA Regional TV's Fe Marie Gumaboc in a 24 Oras report, a three-month-old baby in Zamboanga City died from a fall while being evacuated from their house due to strong waves.

In Samar, incessant heavy rain submerged a road in Sitio Sto. Nino in Catbalogan City.

High waves damaged a motor banca in the fishport area at Pier 1. The remaining engine and the remains of the boat were recovered.

Strong winds peeled off the roofs from stalls in the pier area and a gym. Floods were reported across the province of Northern Samar.

In the towns of Palapag, Lope de Vega and Catarman,  several farmlands and houses were submerged by floodwater.

In the town of Dolores in Eastern Samar, several trees almost fell due to strong winds while schools were also flooded in the municipality of Jipapad.

The bad weather in the town of Guiuan, authorities prevented marine vessels from traveling.

According to the Office of Civil Defense - Region 8, all Local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices in the entire region are on red alert status. Local government units have forcibly evacuated some families due to the rising flood.

Meanwhile in Mindanao, residents in Makilala, Cotabato found it difficult to pass along a road after a spillway overflowed, forcing some of them to use a rope to cross safely.

In the town of Pikit, the flood affected several communities in Barangay Bulod. A road along Barangay Tubon in Pigcawayan disappeared underneath murky water.

A declaration of a state of calamity in the province is under consideration.

Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office - Cotabato said it is continuously monitoring the number of families affected by the floods.

In Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao del Norte, about 150 families were displaced after two barangays in the provinces were flooded.

State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said Kristine intensified into a tropical storm on Tuesday as it continues moving westward.

Kristine (international name: Trami) was last located 390 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

The tropical storm, which was moving westward at 15 km/h, is expected to make landfall over Isabela as a severe tropical storm on Wednesday evening. —Sherylin Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News