Over 2 million people affected by “Kristine” – OCD

A total of over 2 million individuals are now affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Thursday.

In its latest situation report, the OCD stated that these individuals represent 431,738 families from 2,124 barangays across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Currently, 43,463 families—equivalent to 163,184 individuals—are being sheltered in 4,567 evacuation centers. Additionally, another 8,003 families or 32,877 persons are receiving aid outside these centers.

The inclement weather caused by Kristine has also disrupted operations at 86 ports across nine regions.

Meanwhile, stranded passengers include 5,980 individuals along with 1,351 rolling cargoes, 106 vessels, and 12 motor bancas at various ports in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas.

Reports indicate that around 1,007 houses have been damaged across seven regions.

The Police Regional Office 5 (PRO-5) reported that the number of fatalities in the Bicol Region due to Kristine has risen to 20 as of Thursday.

“As of 7AM, we have logged 20 deaths. We want to clarify that this figure is still subject to validation by the DILG Management of the Dead and Missing,” stated PRO-5 chief Police Brigadier General Andre Dizon.

Of the total fatalities in the region, Dizon noted that seven were reported in Naga, five in Catanduanes, four in Albay, and one each in Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon, and Masbate.

The victims succumbed to drowning, landslides, and fallen trees according to Dizon.

Additionally, four people are reported missing: two in Masbate and one each in Camarines Sur and Albay.

According to PRO-5 data, a total of 119,488 people or 23,517 families are currently staying in evacuation centers within the region.

Flooding has been reported in 722 barangays across the region. Most severely affected is Camarines Sur with 562 flooded barangays, followed by Albay with 74.

Many houses have been submerged due to flooding in Bicol, particularly in Bato and Milaor in Camarines Sur as well as in Legazpi City in Albay.