The country’s northernmost province of Batanes was among those that were severely hit by Super Typhoon Leon, which came just a few days after Kristine caused widespread damage. The Bicol Region, on the other hand, endured the impact of Kristine, flooding not only rice fields and farmlands, but also densely populated residential centers, tearing off roofs, uprooting trees, and toppling down buildings, electric posts, and other vital facilities.
In Naga City, floodwaters reached up to 12 feet, submerging 30 percent of the total land area of Camarines Sur, and affecting 70 percent of its population, as well as nearby towns.
Nabua, Camarines Sur social worker Kristine Noelyn R. Llagas-Gador said that their barangay in Lourdes Young is one of the hardest hit areas, adding that hundreds of families were affected due to high floodwaters.
“This flooding has left families in urgent need of food, water, and other essential supplies. Unfortunately, relief operations are mainly focused on the poblacion area, making it difficult for our barangay residents to receive the help they desperately need,” Llagas-Gador explained.
In terms of the number of casualties, Talisay, a town in Batangas, has the highest with 20 deaths after a landslide buried an entire village.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that as of October 31, 2024, the death toll due to both Kristine and Leon reached 145. This shows that natural calamities are becoming more intense and recurrent.
The frequency and severity of these storms have been exacerbated by climate change, intensely impacting human lives and the environment. In recent years, the Philippines became witness in the significant intensification of storms in Asia, a phenomenon that scientists attribute to the ongoing impacts of climate change.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that Asia was the most disaster-hit region last year, with floods and storms resulting in casualties and economic losses. It is an alarming trend that highlights the need for comprehensive strategies to mitigate the effects of extreme weather events.
Meanwhile, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said that climate crisis-fueled disasters are already more severe than scientists initially anticipated. Recent findings also provide evidence that warmer temperatures will continue to heighten disaster risks, even if nations worldwide manage to reduce their carbon emissions.
The Department of Agriculture (DA) also relayed that some P3.4 billion worth of crops and fishery products have been damaged due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. This report was consolidated from their regional field offices in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western and Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen and Caraga.
“Damage and losses have been reported in rice, corn, cassava, high-value crops, livestock and poultry, fisheries, and agricultural infrastructures,” the DA said.
Kristine has affected close to 80,000 farmers, with damages covering 76,785 hectares of agricultural areas, impacting the country’s food security.
