Bicol sounds alarm over rescue ops amid flooding brought by Kristine

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Bicol region on Wednesday morning has raised alarms about ongoing rescue operations due to severe flooding affecting various areas in the region.

According to Bicol’s Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC), the ongoing floods have severely hampered the ability of rescuers to respond to all calls for assistance, particularly in the areas of Camarines Sur, Albay, and Naga City.

READ: Bicol region on red alert as Tropical Depression Kristine looms

“Currently, rescuers are unable to respond to calls for assistance due to the widespread flooding in the Bicol region caused by typhoon #KristinePH, especially in the areas of Camarines Sur, Albay, and Naga City,” their statement on Bicol’s Philippine Information Agency (PIA) page read.

READ: Kristine puts 11 areas under WS No. 2, landfalls in Isabela or Aurora

The RDRRMC further advised affected residents to seek safe locations that may serve as temporary shelters.

“Affected residents are advised to seek a safe place first, and rescues will be prioritized. Rescuers will do their best to address your requests for assistance,” they added.

The Bicol Region was placed under red alert status (Charlie protocol) by the RDRRMC on Monday in response to tropical depression Kristine, which has since intensified into a tropical storm.

“The Charlie protocol signifies the highest state of emergency preparedness, necessitating immediate action from both the RDRRMC and Local DRRMCs to protect communities and ensure an effective and timely response,” the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) said in a statement.

As of the state weather bureau’s 11 p.m. bulletin, five provinces in the Bicol region were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2.

The said areas are Catanduanes, Camarines Norte (specifically the eastern portion: Basud, Daet, Talisay, Vinzons, Paracale, Mercedes), Camarines Sur (specifically the eastern portion: Caramoan, Presentacion, Garchitorena, Tinambac, Siruma, Lagonoy, Goa, San Jose, Saglay, Tigaon), Albay (specifically the eastern portion: Rapu-Rapu, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Malinao, Tiwi), and Sorsogon (specifically the eastern portion: Barcelona, Gubat, Prieto Diaz).

Meanwhile, Masbate and the rest of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, and Sorsogon remain under TCWS No. 1.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), tropical storm Kristine was last spotted some 345 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Daet, Camarines Norte.

It was moving northwest at 75 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center, with gusts reaching up to 90 kph.

“It is forecast to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora tomorrow evening or on Thursday (24 October) early morning,” Pagasa said in its forecast.