Three people were reported dead in Bicol Region due to the impact of Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami), according to the Police Regional Office 5 (PRO5) on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
Bicol regional police chief Police Brigadier General Andre Perez Dizon told reporters about the development, adding that one person was missing and six others were injured as of 6 a.m.
In a situation briefing with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday morning, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported that one person was reported dead in Palanas, Masbate after getting hit by a falling tree branch.
According to OCD data, seven people were reported missing, including three in San Fernando, Masbate who went fishing; three in Daanbantayan, Cebu; and one in Pilar, Cebu.
Five people were injured including four in Northern Samar, and one in Labo, Camarines Norte who figured in a vehicular accident, the OCD said.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), meanwhile, reported fewer figures with only three people missing in Bicol.
In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC also said one person was reported injured in the region.
A total of 382,302 individuals or 77,910 families have been affected by Kristine in Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula, the NDRRMC said.
Of the affected population, 12,334 people or 3,095 families were staying in evacuation centers while 364 people or 96 families were taking shelter in other places.
The NDRRMC said floods, landslides, a vehicular accident, and an uprooted tree were reported in the affected regions.
Seaport ops suspended
Fifty-seven houses were damaged, 49 partially and eight totally. One structure was also damaged.
Power outages were experienced in 36 areas and communication line issues were reported in one area.
Operations in 34 seaports in CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, Bicol, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas were suspended due to Kristine. As a result, a total of 4,753 passengers, 703 rolling cargoes, 26 vessels, and 13 motorized bancas were stranded.
Classes in 602 areas and work schedules in 164 areas have been suspended due to the threat of Kristine, according to the NDRRMC report.
So far, a total of P169,685 worth of assistance has been provided to victims.
'Worst yet to come'
The Philippines suspended government work and shut schools as Tropical Storm Kristine barreled towards the country's eastern coast, with President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Wednesday ordering responders to prepare ahead of its landfall.
Marcos ordered government agencies to closely monitor the volume of rainfall in the coming days, preposition government resources and anticipate people's needs.
"The worst is yet to come, I'm afraid. Let's all prepare," Marcos told a situation briefing.
"The volumes of water are unprecedented. We should closely monitor that," he said.
Ahead of the storm's landfall, Kristine dumped heavy rains in the Bicol on Tuesday, forcing residents to flee their homes as floodwaters reached as high as the roofs of bungalow houses. Rivers overflowed and triggered flash floods, a disaster official said.
"We got almost two months' worth of rainfall in just 24 hours," Albay provincial disaster chief Cedric Daep said by phone.
Stock trading suspended
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday suspended currency trading and monetary operations for the day. Stock market trading operated as normal.
Agencies involved in disaster response and vital services remained open, the Office of the President said.
(via Joviland Rita, GMA Integrated News)
