Tropical Storm Kristine causes deaths, evacuations, flooding in Visayas, Mindanao

Since Monday, Tropical Storm Kristine has caused significant damage and disruptions in several provinces across the Visayas and Mindanao.

In Zamboanga City, a three-month-old baby died from injuries sustained during an evacuation due to strong waves.

Samar experienced flooding and structural damages; heavy rain submerged roads, high waves damaged boats, and strong winds peeled off roofs in various areas. On Wednesday, Magtaon Elementary School in Mapanas, Northern Samar was severely damaged by chest-high floodwaters.

Local government units across the region have evacuated families and declared red alert status as floodwaters inundated farmlands and houses in towns like Palapag and Catarman. In Maguindanao del Sur, 59 barangays in eight towns were affected by flooding.

In Mindanao, residents faced challenges crossing flooded roads using ropes, while about 150 families were displaced by flooding in Sultan Kudarat and Maguindanao del Norte.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Kristine intensified into a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center. Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, and Samar are currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1.

As the storm continues to move westward, it is expected to make landfall in Isabela as a severe tropical storm on Wednesday evening.