Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (I.N. Trami)

Situation Report #2

October 24, 2024

5:00 PM

Situation Overview

On October 24, 2024, Severe Tropical Storm Kristine made landfall in Divilacan, Isabela at 12:30 AM, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). The cyclone exhibited maximum sustained wind speeds of 95 kilometers per hour near its center and was moving northwestward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour, as detailed in the 2 AM bulletin.

Prior to the landfall, significant portions of the Bicol Region were already inundated. Strong winds and heavy rainfall had forced thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. Social media platforms were flooded with videos and images depicting the dire situation, including families trapped on rooftops due to rising floodwaters. In Cabangan, Legazpi City, over 22 individuals were rescued, while others attempted to navigate through flood-affected areas.

Residents of Barangay Bonbon in Libon, Albay were compelled to seek refuge on their rooftops to avoid being swept away by the swift currents. The bridge connecting Tiwi, Albay and Malinao, Albay also collapsed under the pressure of the flood. Numerous homes were submerged up to chest level in floodwaters. The intense rainfall also triggered lahar flows from Mayon Volcano, affecting several areas in Guinobatan, Albay. Naga City, Camarines Sur was particularly hard-hit, with authorities engaged in rescue operations for those trapped by high water levels. The flash flooding in Naga resulted from the combination of heavy rainfall, high tides, the overflowing of Bicol River, and water spilling from Mount Isarog. According to the Office of Civil Defense in Camarines Sur, the municipalities of Nabua, Bula, Bao, Calabanga, Minalabak, and Gainsa are in urgent need of immediate assistance. Residents in these areas are stranded on their rooftops and have no access to food. There is a critical demand for hot meals or ready-to-eat meals to support those affected by the flooding. Other municipalities affected included Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte and various barangays in Pili, La Purisima, and Bato, Camarines Sur.

Meanwhile, despite STS Kristine making landfall in the province of Isabela, the region did not experience the full force of the storm. This reduction in impact is attributed to the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, which effectively weakened the storm’s intensity as it moved inland.

Despite STS Kristine exiting the landmass of Luzon through the Ilocos Region by early Thursday afternoon as forecasted by PAGASA, rainfall warnings and wind signals remain active due to the extensive circulation of the tropical cyclone. However, some local roads have been severely affected by flooding, particularly in Barangay Sta. Barbara.

The province of Batangas was also affected, experiencing strong winds and heavy rainfall. As a result of the severe flooding, the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery has ceased admitting patients.

Tropical cyclone wind signal #3 has been declared in the following areas: Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, and Benguet. Meanwhile, signal #2 is in effect for Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Batanes, Quirino, Isabela, Kalinga, Abra, Apayao, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Pampanga, Zambales, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, the western part of Batangas (Nasugbu, Lian), and the northern part of Quezon (General Nakar, Infanta), including Polillo Islands and Lubang Islands.

Sources; PAG-ASA, NDRRMC, Inquirer

Affected Populations

According to the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, approximately 30% of Naga City’s land area is inundated with floodwaters, impacting around 70% of the town’s population. The Bicol Regional Police Office has confirmed a total of 20 fatalities across the region as a direct consequence of the severe flooding associated with STS Kristine.

In response to the situation, an Initial Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) has been conducted by our regional partner, Tarabang sa Bicol (TABI Inc.).

Affected Areas	Details
Sitio Lagaan, Brgy. Pio Duran, Albay	Over 300 families evacuated.
Brgy. Capucnasan, Milaor, Camarines Sur	Over 11 families evacuated.
Municipality of Daraga, Albay	36,062 individuals evacuated across 42 barangays to private homes and designated evacuation centers (elementary schools, day care centers, covered courts, barangay health centers, multi-purpose halls).
Sorsogon City	4,530 families (16,026 individuals displaced) evacuated inside and outside designated evacuation centers.
Naga City	24 barangays submerged by flooding, affecting 1,813 families (5,649 individuals); 12 recorded casualties.
Albay	APSEMO reported 17,095 individuals (4,948 families) evacuated due to flooding from Tropical Storm Kristine.
Towns of Guinobatan and Camalig	communities evacuated due to lahar flows, forcing evacuation from barangays Tandarora, Tumpa, and Maninila.
Catamlangan, Pilar, Sorsogon	297 families affected by flooding in the barangay.
Brgy. 18 Cabangan West, Legazpi City	Over 200 families evacuated, totaling 1,278 individuals.
Camarines Sur	562 barangays affected and flooded, with 7,979 families (32,541 individuals) evacuated.

Meanwhile, according to the Police Regional Office IV-A (CALABARZON), over 30,000 individuals in the CALABARZON region, comprising Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon, have been relocated to evacuation centers due to the effects of STS Kristine. As of Thursday, data indicates that a total of 30,932 individuals, representing 9,097 families, have been transferred to 402 designated evacuation centers throughout the region.

In the latest report released by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), a total of 431,738 families, equating to 2,077,643 individuals, have been affected across 12 regions due to STS Kristine. The tropical cyclone has resulted in the displacement of 196,061 individuals, who are currently residing in 4,567 evacuation centers.

The report also confirms a total of 7 fatalities associated with flooding and other related incidents.

The storm has caused significant damage to residential infrastructure, with a total of 1,007 houses reported as damaged: 915 partially damaged and 93 completely destroyed.

In response to the widespread impact of the tropical cyclone, several cities and municipalities have been declared under State of Calamity, facilitating the mobilization of resources and support for affected populations. The following areas placed under state of calamity are:

1. In Bicol: Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon and San Fernando in Masbate
2. In Region 8: Arteche, Borongan City, Can-Avid, Dolores, Jipapad, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpio, Sulat, Taft, San Julian and Maydolong in Eastern Samar
3. In CALABARZON, Cavite Province and Mulanay and Tangkawayan in Quezon Province

 

Source: National Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Council (NDRRMC), Tarabang sa Bicol, Rappler

Emergency Response Efforts

1. CDRC along with the affected regional partners, continues to monitor the situation and has commenced issuing situation reports.
2. CDRC also facilitates SCLR Proposals to enable access of people’s organizations for provision of hot meals.
3. CDRC facilitates call for support for the individuals affected by STS Kristine.

Resources Available

1. Standby emergency funds
2. Prepositioned goods at the CDRC warehouse
3. Monetary and in-kind donations

Expressed Needs

1. Immediate Food Assistance such as water and food supplies.
2. Hygiene Kits
3. Over the counter medicines

Coordination

1. Regional Partners
   • Tarabang Sa Bicol Inc.
   • CorDis
2. People’s Organizations
3. 17 member organizations of the Citizens’ Disaster Response Network (CDRN) nationwide

Contacts

1. Rosalia “Ross” Singcol, Deputy Executive Director – rosssingcol@gmail.com – 09854359628
2. Glenn Latoza, Field Operations Department Head – fod.cdrc1984@gmail.com – 09662343358