MANILAagilaplay, 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
Article continues after this advertisement“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.
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The RDRRMC further advised affected residents to seek safe locations that may serve as temporary shelters.
Article continues after this advertisement“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.
Article continues after this advertisementThe 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.
Article continues after this advertisement“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.
Article continues after this advertisementThe 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 is moving northwest at a speed of 75 kilometers per hour (km/h) near its center, with gusts reaching up to 90 km/h.
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“It is forecast to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora tomorrow evening or on Thursday (24 October) early morningagilaplay,” Pagasa said in its forecast.
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