BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CRDRRMC) through its Response Cluster and Early Recovery Pillar chaired by the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Cordillera (DSWD-CAR) maintains its heightened alert status and currently monitoring the effects of tropical cyclone Kristine through a 24/7 virtual Emergency Operations Center.
The DSWD-CAR, through the virtual EOC, hosted a meeting of the Response Cluster and Provincial DRRM Councils Thursday (October 24) morning for updates on the response actions and situation reports on the ground.
Based on the DSWD-CAR Disaster Response Operations Management, Information, and Communication (DROMIC) report as of 6AM of Oct. 24, there are 469 families composed of 1,568 individuals affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine.
There are also 352 families (1,253 individuals) displaced, most due to preemptive evacuation. Of the displaced population, 225 families are being served inside evacuation centers while 127 are temporarily staying with relatives and friends.
There are 21 evacuation centers opened in the region with 15 in Apayao, one in Abra, two in Benguet and three in Ifugao.
The DSWD CAR is currently in close coordination with the local government units in terms of providing assistance to the displaced population.
The DROMIC report also included 31 partially damaged houses with 25 in Kalinga, five in Apayao and one in Mountain Province. These are for verification and evaluation. No reported typhoon-related injuries or death.
From the reports of the provincial DRRM offices, light to moderate and at times heavy rains are being experienced in the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province.
CRDRRMC Chairperson and Office of Civil Defense Regional Director Albert Mogol reminded the Response and Early Recovery Pillar member- agencies and PDRRMCs to maintain heightened alert, preparedness and response readiness, as the threats of flashfloods and rain-induced landslides remain.
DSWD-CAR Assistant Regional Director for Operations Enrique Gascon Jr added that they be on the loop with the virtual Emergency Operations Center of the response cluster which is currently on 24/7 operation.
As of October 24, 2PM forecast of PAGASA, Kristine is now over the coastal waters of Santa Cruz, Ilocos Sur with a maximum sustained wind of 95 km/hour near the center and gustiness of up to 145 km/hr and moving West southwestward at 15 km/hr. (CCD/PIA CAR)
