#KristinePH death toll surges to 46 – OCD
Metro Manila, Philippines – At least 46 people were killed during the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine, according to the latest data from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
As of 7 a.m. Friday, the OCD is validating details regarding the reported 46 fatalities, seven injuries, and 20 missing persons.
Among the deaths, 28 were recorded in the storm-ravaged Bicol region, where 19 cities and municipalities have been declared under a state of calamity.
Additionally, 15 fatalities were reported in Calabarzon, with one each in Ilocos, Central Luzon, and Zamboanga Peninsula.
This is the latest cumulative data. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) previously reported 13 fatalities, while local authorities have confirmed additional casualties.
Bicol was ground zero for the deadly storm, with over 1.8 million affected individuals—more than half of the total affected population of over 2.6 million nationwide, according to data from the NDRRMC.
Kristine inundated 70 areas in the Bicol region and triggered 15 landslides. Nationwide, 207 areas experienced flooding, and 19 landslides were reported.
More than 64,447 families or 239,200 individuals were forced to stay in evacuation centers across the country.
As of Thursday morning, more than 300 roads and bridges nationwide remain impassable to vehicles, primarily in Bicol. Authorities said this has hindered relief and rescue operations.
More than 100 areas across the country remain without power, 10 are without water supply, and 31 lack communication lines.
Two airports in Bicol and Mimaropa remain non-operational, while at least 82 seaports nationwide have ceased operations, stranding 7,510 passengers.
Malacañang has suspended work in government offices and classes at all levels across Luzon for the third consecutive day due to the massive rains and flooding caused by Kristine.
Kristine was expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Thursday afternoon; however, the state weather bureau PAGASA is monitoring a tropical cyclone outside PAR that may influence its path.
