Tropical Depression Kristine threatens 30M Filipinos with floods, landslides

Tropical Depression Kristine could affect at least 30 million individuals across nine regions, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) on Monday.

Typhoon Kristine is expected to make landfall over Northern Luzon by Friday, potentially affecting northern and central parts of the country with heavy rainfall starting Tuesday.

The OCD has instructed regional offices to initiate preparedness measures and warned that more than 18,000 barangays are at risk of rain-induced landslides and floods in various regions including Central Visayas, Cordillera Administrative Region, Eastern Visayas, Ilocos Region, MIMAROPA, Northern Mindanao, SOCCSKSARGEN, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and the National Capital Region.

OCD Administrator Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno urged vulnerable communities to prepare for Kristine, which is the 11th tropical cyclone this year.

As of Monday evening, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised in eastern parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

All monitored dams are currently under non-flood watch status, but Ambuklao, Binga, Magat, and San Roque dams are being closely monitored by the state weather bureau.