OCD: Rescuers experiencing challenges reaching far areas in Naga

Office of Civil Defense (OCD) director Edgar Posadas said Thursday that rescuers are still experiencing challenges in entering far-flung areas in Naga City, Camarines Sur following the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. 

''Kasama 'yung Naga sabi ni Director Yucot medyo mayroon pa tayong challenge sa ibang mga malalayong barangays and lugar but we are getting there,'' Posadas said during a Palace press briefing.

Meanwhle, Polangui and Libon in Albay were already reached by rescuers. 

''Napasok na 'yung Polangui at saka tama 'yung sabi ni Sec., Polangui saka Libon so ang concentration natin ngayon 'yung mga baha pa dito sa Camarines Sur,'' said Posadas.

Tropical Storm Kristine brought massive floods and landslides in the Bicol Region, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.

Naga City was among those heavily affected by the catastrophic floods brought by Kristine. According to the local disaster risk reduction and management office, 30% of Naga’s land area was covered by flood waters, affecting 70% of the town’s population. 

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) a total of 2,077,643 people or 431,738 families in the country were affected by Kristine.

Most of the affected individuals were reported in Bicol with 1,669,507, followed by BARMM with 351,913.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 remains hoisted over 16 areas in Luzon as Severe Tropical Storm Kristine continued to cross the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) area, PAGASA said in its 11 a.m bulletin. 

PAGASA said Kristine was located in the vicinity of Aguinaldo, Ifugao moving westward at 20 kph with maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph.

The severe tropical storm was expected to cross Northern Luzon over the next 12 hours and may emerge over the waters west of Ilocos Region on Thursday afternoon, according to PAGASA.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News