Severe Tropical Depression Kristine entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Monday morning on October 21, 2024, with a maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center, with gustiness up to 160 kph.
It brought heavy rains and storm-force winds to parts of northern Luzon, including Cagayan (southern portion), Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Abra (southern portion), Aurora (northern and central portions), Nueva Ecija (northern portion), Tarlac (northern portion), Zambales (northern portion), Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur (central and southern portions), and La Union.
Areas in northern and central Luzon including Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, Apayao, parts of Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Aurora, Zambales, Tarlac, Quezon (including Polillo Islands), and Lubang Island experienced minor to moderate risks to life and property damage due to gale-force winds. On the other hand, Batanes, Palawan, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and parts of Northern Samar, Leyte, and Aklan were hit with strong winds.
A total of 27 road sections in three regions were closed to traffic due to the effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported last Thursday, October 24. The roads were inaccessible to vehicles due to soil collapse, flooding, pavement, landslides, fallen trees, rock collapse, rockslides, debris, and collapsed pavement and bridges. 10 road sections in four regions have limited access due to soil/rock collapse, road collapse, and flooding – seven in Bicol and one each in Cordillera, Calabarzon, and Eastern Visayas.
Days after Kristine left the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it was reported that around 6.7 million people, or 1.6 million families in 10,147 barangays were affected nationwide. According to NDRRMC, 561,687 people stayed at evacuation centers, while 418,668 took shelter elsewhere. The death toll has risen to over 100 and around 100 people were also reported injured.
The infrastructure damages have reached over P1.54 billion while damage to agriculture is P2.8 billion.
Our nation is again facing challenges due to the impact of storms and typhoons. As in the past, we will recover from this with the help of our Lord and each other. May these situations unite us and encourage us to put our hope into action. As a church community, let us continue to be God’s hands and feet for those in need.
Let us take a moment to pray for our nation.
Prayer Points:
- Pray for our countrymen whose livelihoods have been affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine. Pray for hope and relief in their present situation and for God to restore everything they have lost.
- Pray for protection for our nation as Super Typhoon Leon enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
- Pray for wisdom, collaboration, and swift action among the government, NGOs, and churches during rescue and relief operations across our nation. Pray also for the protection of those conducting rescue and relief operations throughout the affected communities.
- Pray for wisdom and strategies for our national and local leaders in developing long-term flood control solutions and disaster preparedness programs that will better prepare our nation during typhoon seasons.
To learn more about the current situation in our nation, you may read through these resources:
Kristine now severe tropical storm; parts of Luzon under signal no. 3
PH races to reach stranded as Kristine’s death toll rises to 20
Kristine barrels through Northern Luzon; LPA outside PAR likely to become tropical depression
Storm Kristine maintains strength; Signal No. 3 still up over 12 areas
LIVE UPDATES: Severe Tropical Storm Kristine
Kristine decelerates after landfall, another LPA nears PH
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