The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported Friday that Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (internationally named Trami) has claimed 46 lives as rescue teams battle floodwaters to reach trapped residents in affected regions, particularly in the Bicol area, which experienced torrential rains amounting to two months’ worth of rainfall in just two days.
Police Director Andre Dizon of the Bicol region shared that numerous people remain stranded on rooftops, awaiting rescue as floodwaters continue to subside. “Many are still asking for help from their roofs. Our biggest challenge is the shortage of rubber boats, but more resources are on their way,” Dizon told AFP.
According to OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, fatalities were primarily in the Bicol region, with 28 deaths, followed by Calabarzon with 15, and one each in the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, and Zamboanga Peninsula. In addition to the fatalities, Kristine has left 20 people missing and seven injured.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. extended his sympathies to those affected by the storm. “We are grateful for the resilience and proactive measures taken by our local government units, which have saved many lives,” he said, adding that all available military assets and personnel from the AFP, along with the PNP, BFP, and Coast Guard, are fully mobilized for relief operations.
As Luzon remains largely affected, schools and government offices were closed Friday, with storm surge warnings in effect along the western coast, where waves could reach up to two meters. Kristine has intensified the focus on the need for climate adaptation, with recent studies showing storms in the Asia-Pacific forming closer to coastlines and intensifying due to climate change.