MANILA, Philippines – Hundreds of thousands of individuals have been displaced due to the incessant rains brought by Tropical Storm Kristine.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the storm had a wide diameter, affecting all of Luzon and even parts of the Visayas and Mindanao regions.

Continuous rain caused widespread flooding, rendering major roads, particularly in the Bicol Region and Quezon Province, impassable. This has made it difficult for early responders to reach affected areas in these provinces.

In Northern Luzon, several provinces were reported to be underwater, especially in Dagupan City and Lingayen City. A storm surge was also reported in Lingayen.

Residents in flood-affected areas were forced to stay on their roofs, awaiting rescue teams. Among those rescued were children, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.

Most of those affected said they did not expect the amount of rain brought by Tropical Storm Kristine, which, according to PAGASA, dumped rain equivalent to two months’ worth in just 24 hours.

The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) reported that all hands were on deck, mobilizing all available resources to meet the needs of those affected. Efforts have focused on distributing food, hygiene kits, and other immediate necessities.

In coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and local government units (LGUs), the OCD assured that relief operations were well underway. The OCD also stated that eight emergency operations centers had been set up across Luzon and the Visayas to address the needs of areas most heavily affected by the storm.

As of this writing, non-government organizations (NGOs) have begun mobilizing their teams to supplement government efforts in rescuing those in hard-to-reach areas. The NGOs have also started distributing cooked meals to displaced individuals in evacuation centers and delivering food rations to households that opted to stay in their flooded homes.

📷 Screenshot from Boom Pili