‘KRISTINE’  DEATH TOLL RISES TO 116 DEAD – NDRRMC

THE death toll from severe tropical storm “Kristine” rose to 116, with 109 injuries, and 39 missing, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Monday said.

Most of the fatalities were from Batangas, with 60 reported deaths.

Bicol, one of the hardest-hit provinces, recorded 41 deaths, mostly due to drowning.

 “Kristine” struck the Philippines, causing massive flooding, landslides, and destruction along its path, affecting more than half a million families.

A total of 160 cities and towns have declared a state of calamity.

According to Bicol regional police director Andre Dizon, they were still receiving rescue calls on Sunday, as many residents across Camarines Sur remained trapped on roofs and the upper floors of their homes.

Rescued residents were brought to different evacuation centers.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. earlier ordered the immediate sending of help to Bicol, particularly in areas inundated by “Kristine.”

The NDRRMC said almost a million people were displaced by storm Kristine that damaged 44,000 houses and 990 infrastructure facilities across the country..

The cost of damage to agriculture was placed at  P2.511 billion.

Kristine left the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last Friday.

According to Office of Civil Defense administration Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, “Kristine” is the deadliest storm to hit the Philippines so far this year.