Tropical cyclone “Kristine” is expected to affect 30 million individuals across various regions, prompting Civil Defense Administrator Ariel Nepomuceno yesterday to issue an urgent call for heightened preparedness.
“According to 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,” Nepomuceno stated.
“Kristine” maintained its strength yesterday while moving west-southwestward over the Philippine Sea. The center of the eye was estimated at 760 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar, the state weather bureau said.
“Kristine” may intensify into a tropical storm in the next 12 hours, and reach severe tropical storm category on Wednesday and typhoon category on Thursday before making landfall, according to PAGASA.
Meanwhile, the Coast Guard reported over 400 passengers stranded in seven ports across Bicol and one in Quezon due to bad weather.
It was moving westward 15 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 was raised over the southeastern portion of Isabela (Palanan, Dinapigue), Aurora, the northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, Buenavista, San Narciso, San Andres, General Nakar, Pitogo, San Francisco, Calauag, Pagbilao, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real) including Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate, including Ticao Island and Burias Island, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao – Bucas Grande Group.
The highest wind signal which may be hoisted during the occurrence of “Kristine” is wind signal no. 4.
Since this tropical cyclone is still over the Philippine Sea, rapid intensification is not ruled out given the favorable environmental conditions, it said.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has reported that over 18,000 barangays are at risk of rain-induced landslides and floods, particularly in Central Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region, Eastern Visayas, Ilocos Region, MIMAROPA, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Western Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
In Metro Manila, 1,403 barangays are also vulnerable to landslide and flood hazards due to Kristine. This includes areas in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Pasay, Pateros, Las Piñas, Makati, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Taguig, Quezon City, Mandaluyong, Marikina, Pasig, San Juan, and Manila.
Kristine is the Philippines’ 11th tropical cyclone of 2024 and has entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “OCD expects Tropical Depression “Kristine” to affect 30 million people.”
