LOOK: Batangas hospital stops admitting patients due to flooding

The Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery was flooded due to heavy rains brought by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine on Oct. 24, 2024. Photo from Batangas Provincial Health Office

MANILA, Philippines — The Batangas Provincial Hospital in Lemery stopped admitting patients due to flooding caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) on Thursday, October 24.

Citing a report from the Provincial Health Office, the Batangas Public Information Office (PIO) said floodwater already entered the hospital ward and emergency room as of Thursday afternoon.

“Everyone is reminded that this hospital will temporarily implement a ‘NO ADMISSION’ policy or will not accept patients at this time,” the PIO announced in Filipino on a Facebook post.

“The Provincial Government of Batangas is coordinating with the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office of Lemery for immediate response and assistance,” it added.

According to the latest report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Kristine has so far affected over two million individuals nationwide.

The severe tropical storm was last spotted in the vicinity of Bauko, Mountain Province, carrying maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts of up to 160 kph.

Kristine is expected to exit the country’s area of responsibility by Friday afternoon.