MANILA, Philippines – At least 145 people were reportedly killed due to the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (Trami) and Super Typhoon Leon (Kong-rey), according to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) released Wednesday, October 30.
Only 14 of these deaths, however, have been validated so far; 115 people were reportedly injured, while 37 remain missing. The calamity displaced 761,010 people.
Kristine has affected at least 7 million Filipinos across 17 regions in the country.
It made landfall over Isabela last October 24. Prior to landfall, Kristine ravaged Bicol region inundating roads, damaging crops, and overwhelming rescuers.
The heavy downpour caused a landslide in Talisay, Batangas, killing 20 people. The remains of the dead were buried on Tuesday, October 29.
Leon has not made landfall in the Philippines, but authorities are not yet ruling out possible landfall in Batanes.
Losses accumulate
Almost a week after Kristine made landfall, the costs of damage to livelihood and infrastructure continue to accumulate.
At least P3.6 million worth of infrastructure — including roads, bridges, government facilities, schools — were damaged.
NDRRMC estimated the agriculture sector damage at P2.9 billion. Over 66,000 farmers have been affected, while more than 62,000 hectares of crops were destroyed.
In Bicol, the agriculture sector lost at least P2.1 billion in the wake of Kristine, with Camarines Sur suffering the most.
Around 200 of the 701 affected road sections were still not passable to all types of vehicles. – Rappler.com