QUEZON CITY — Tropical Storm Kristine has impacted over 47,000 individuals in Eastern Visayas, bringing heavy rainfall and landslides to the region.
According to a report from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) Region VIII, the affected populations include 20,227 individuals from Northern Samar, 24,024 from Eastern Samar, and 2,770 from Samar.
Three people have been reported missing or injured, and 638 individuals have been evacuated. Additionally, 991 passengers, 422 rolling cargoes, and 14 vessels have been reported stranded.
Classes have been suspended in Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte, while work has been canceled in 17 areas. Twelve municipalities in Northern Samar have experienced flooding, and minor landslides have been reported in San Jorge (Samar), Inopacan (Leyte), Taft (Eastern Samar), and Palapag (Northern Samar).
Currently, five roads and bridges are impassable: Poblacion in Lop de Vega, Maragan in Palapag, Parabucan in Calbayog City, Chitongo in Mondragon, and Bungko in Mondragon, all in Northern Samar.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) has announced that augmentation support is on the way from both national and regional governments. Disaster officials are closely coordinating with local government units to provide ongoing assistance to evacuees.
According to the latest bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 8 a.m. today, the center of Kristine is estimated to be 310 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour near its center and gusts of up to 105 kilometers per hour. The storm continues to move west northwestward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are in effect across various areas nationwide. (OCD)
