SEVEN REGIONS UNDER HEIGHTENED RISK, 30M INDIVIDUALS TO BE AFFECTED BY KRISTINE

Highest level of emergency preparedness was placed under seven regions due to the potential impact of Kristine (Photo courtesy of Manito MDRRMO/GMA News)

As Tropical Strom Kristine further intensify for the next hours, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) placed seven regions under the highest state of readiness and reported that thirty million individual across multiple regions could be affected.

As the state weather bureau PAGASA forecasts Kristine to make landfall on Wednesday, Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, CALABARZON, and MIMAROPA were placed under the "Charlie" protocol citing heightened risk of hazards and disasters associated with the storm.

Region I and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are under the moderate risk response protocol "Bravo." Low risk and placed under the "Alpha" protocol are the National Capital Region (NCR), Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Soccsksargen, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and CARAGA.

OCD administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno said 18,000 barangays are at risk of rain-induced landslides and floods, particularly in Central Visayas, the Cordillera Administrative Region, Eastern Visayas, Ilocos Region, MIMAROPA, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.

“According to the latest forecast from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the number of potential victims has surged to 30 million. This is a considerable population at risk, and we need all hands on deck to mitigate the impacts of this disaster.”

A total of 1,403 barangays in the National Capital Region re also vulnerable to landslide and flood hazards due to Kristine, including areas in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Pasay, Pateros, Las Piñas, Makati, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Taguig, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig, San Juan, and Manila.

PAGASA advised residents of Albay, Aurora, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Isabela, and Quezon to take precautions as minimal to moderate risk of storm surge may occur in the next 48 hours due to Tropical storm Kristine. 

On the other hand, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla recommends to LGUs in Luzon to suspend classes in all levels, both public and private, on October 22 and 23 for the safety of students. Several areas in Luzon including Metro Manila were placed under Signal No.1 while Catanduanes is now under Signal No.2.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer

Be part of ImHenyo community!

Get featured by sharing your stories, news, and comments

Email us at [email protected]