3 fatalities reported as storm pounds Bicolandia

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Tropical Storm Kristine

Raging floodwaters in Tiwi, Albay due to Tropical Storm Kristine

MANILA, Philippines — Three fatalities due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami)  were reported in the Bicol region, according to the police.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) 5, however,  said that the reported deaths in Masbate and Catanduanes are still being validated.

The Office of Civil Defense – Bicol reported that a 22-year-old man fell from a tree on Tuesday died in Palanas, Masbate, while in Catanduanes, a 71-year-old man also died after falling from the roof of his house.

In its 1:00 p.m. situational report on Wednesday, the PRO 5 also reported that six individuals sustained injuries, while two are missing.

Following the inclement weather brought by Kristine, police said a total of 673 areas within the region are affected by flooding.

To aid affected communities, the Bicol police deployed 773 police officers who have so far attended to 83,821 evacuees or  28,393 families.

Earlier, the state weather bureau reported that Kristine’s center was last spotted some 200 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, moving northwest at 30 kilometers per hour (kph) and maintaining a maximum sustained wind speed of 85 kph.

GRAPHIC: Ed Lustan