October 31, 2024
Kristine’s devastating aftermath: 6.7 million Filipinos displaced, death toll rises to 103
By Arvin Yanga
In what has become one of the most devastating storms to hit the Philippines, Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) has left a profound destruction on multiple regions. Millions are displaced and communities are in ruins across Bicol Region, Central Luzon, Eastern Visayas, and CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon).
Horrible is an understatement to describe the storm’s onslaught: 103 lives lost, 29 people missing, and 69 injured, based on the situational report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on October 29. CALABARZON bears the brunt with 54 deaths, followed by Bicol with 45, while Central Luzon and Zamboanga Peninsula each report two civilian casualties.
In Bicol alone, 2.6 million residents are grappling with the storm's aftermath. Central Luzon follows closely with more than a million affected, while nearly 685,000 residents in Eastern Visayas, and 430,000 in CALABARZON are in dire need of support.
According to reports gathered by Tzu Chi Philippines’ Charity Department, Bicol continues to face devastating conditions. The Maharlika Highway in San Fernando and Milaor, Camarines Sur are impassable. However, the Local Government Unit of Balatan launched clearing operations, and the Coast Guard District Bicol provided vital relief in several barangays in Nabua.
The CALABARZON region similarly reeled from the storm's impact. In Quezon Province, nearly 8,000 residents in Catanauan battled severe flooding. Areas of Mulanay, Quezon and Cavite declared a state of calamity as residents found themselves stranded in their homes. The Maharlika Highway in Barangay Canada Ibaba, Lopez was restricted, allowing only buses and trucks due to overwhelming floodwaters.
Tragedy struck in Batangas when 12 lives were lost in Barangay Sampaloc, Talisay, as heavy rainfall triggered a deadly landslide. In Barangay Don Juan, Cuenca, only rooftops of homes can be seen after a landslide took innocent lives. Meanwhile, the Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery was compelled to halt admissions after floodwaters surged into the facility.
In a report of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, over 3,700 indigenous households across seven municipalities in Albay Province endured the storm's relentless impact. In Gingaroy, Tigaon, Camarines Sur, the indigenous community reported extensive damage to their homes, crops, livestock, and even to animals.
The structural damage is unprecedented: more than 41,500 homes sustained partial damages and over 3,000 completely destroyed nationwide, with Bicol Region suffering the most at 24,500 damaged houses reported.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers and staff saw the situation for themselves when they initiated an ocular visit in several barangays in Bula, Camarines Sur, including Barangay San Jose, and in the PAGCOR Multi-Purpose Evacuation Center. They rode a transport truck as they coordinated with MDRRMC in distributing rice to affected residents. Due to knee-deep floodwaters, Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers could not proceed to the innermost part of Barangay Sabang in Naga City.
Communities urgently need portable drinking water, relief packs, medicine, fuel, ready-to-eat meals, rubber boats with OBM (outboard motor), hygiene kits, clothes, bedding, and emergency equipment, including megaphones and flashlights.
Riding transport trucks, Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers witness the devastating aftermath of Tropical storm Kristine, in their region.
Floodwaters have yet to recede in Bula, Camarines Sur.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers coordinate with MDRRMC Bula Camarines Sur to distribute rice to storm survivors.
Braving the knee-deep floodwaters, affected residents continue their day in hope for recovery.
A resident wades in floodwater to claim a 5-kilo bag of rice.
One of the impassable streets in Bula, Camarines Sur.
Families affected by Tropical storm Kristine remain stranded in their local church.
In Naga City, roads remain wet, muddy, and filled with debris.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers and staff survey affected residents on their needs and situation.
Random pieces of trash left by the fierce winds of Typhoon Kristine lay by the entrance of a still-flooded Barangay Sabang in Naga City.
Tzu Chi Bicol volunteers could not push through their ocular visit to the innermost area of Barangay Sabang in Naga City due to knee-deep flood.