Kristine now a severe tropical storm — PAGASA

RELENTLESS rains continue to drench several areas in Luzon, particularly Bicol Region, as Kristine (internationally known as Trami) intensified into a severe tropical storm on Wednesday, according to PAGASA.

In its 4 p.m. update, the state weather bureau located severe tropical storm Kristine at 130 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometer per hour (km/h) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 km/h. 

It is moving northwestward at 20 km/h.

PAGASA forecasted stormy weather in Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and Bicol Region.

It said possible flooding or landslides may occur in these areas “due to intense to at times torrential rains.” Strong winds might also cause “minor to moderate threat to lives and properties.”

Here are the forecast weather conditions in other areas in the country:

• Rains with gusty winds: Visayas, MIMAROPA, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Norte
• Cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms: Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, BARMM, and Soccsksargen
• Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms: the rest on Mindanao

Classes, work suspensions

Several local governments suspended classes and government work for October 24, Thursday, due to the effects of severe tropical storm Kristine.

• Bulacan – classes at all levels (public and private), work in government and private offices
• Marikina – classes at all levels (public and private)
• Calaca, Batangas – classes at all levels (public and private)
• Malvar, Batangas – classes at all levels (public and private)
• San Luis, Batangas – classes at all levels (public and private)
• Valenzuela City – classes at all levels (public and private), work in City Hall offices, except emergency and disaster response offices
• Los Baños, Laguna – classes at all levels (public)
• Paracelis, Mountain Province – classes at all levels (public and private)
• Pangasinan – classes at all levels (public and private), work in government offices
• Tuguegarao – classes at all levels (public and private)

Stranded individuals

Some individuals were stranded due to the flood caused by severe tropical storm Kristine, including Filipino rock band Parokya ni Edgar.

On Facebook, the band members shared photos of them under the pouring rain and said they were stranded in Sorsogon in the Bicol region.

“‘Di kami maka-uwi. Canceled lahat ng flights. Delikado din daw mag-roadtrip. So naligo nalang kami sa ulan,” they wrote. “Stay safe, everyone!!!”

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) released a list of canceled flights on Wednesday via its Facebook post, including all commercial flights in the Bicol International Airport and Masbate Airport.

It also provided shelters for stranded passengers, including those who opted to stay at Tacloban Airport.

A shopping mall in Naga City in Camarines Sur was also submerged in floodwaters, forcing the mall’s administration to temporarily close the establishment on Wednesday. Photos shared by a netizen on Facebook showed several mall goers stranded on the upper level of the building. 

“We will work to address the situation so we can quickly open to serve the public,” the mall said.

Damages in Bicol University

Campuses in Bicol University in Daraga and Legazpi were also damaged during the onslaught of severe tropical storm Kristine.

Several photos shared by The Bicol Universitarian, the official publication of Bicol University, on Facebook showed broken glass windows, floodwaters, and fallen trees in some parts of the university. 

The snaps were taken as of 11 a.m. on Wednesday, “after almost 24 hours of nonstop wind and rain,” said the publication.

Prize freeze

Meanwhile, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) issued a price freeze on basic necessities in areas placed under a state of calamity.

Under Republic Act (RA) No. 7581, or the Price Act, a 60-day automatic price freeze on basic necessities—including rice, canned fish, fresh and processed milk, laundry soap, and detergents—is mandated when a state of calamity is declared.

“In close coordination with the Office of the Civil Defense, we are prepared to enforce the automatic price freeze that accompanies any state of calamity declaration. The DTI will take strong action against any violations, which may include administrative cases and fines,” DTI Secretary Cristina Roque said.

As of October 22, Albay province and Magpet town in Cotabato are under a state of calamity due to widespread floods and landslides.