TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – More than 11,000 individuals were displaced by severe tropical storm “Kristine” in this province.
The Cagayan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said 3,753 families composed of 11,013 individuals from 168 barangays in 21 towns were affected as of 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.
It said that 2,858 families or 8,299 are staying in evacuation centers in the province.
The Cagayan PDRRMO, with the Task Force Lingkod Cagayan-Quick Response Team, is conducting preemptive evacuation in low-lying areas as the water level of the Cagayan River is rising.
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense-Region 2 said more than 2,000 residents in Isabela and Nueva Vizcaya were evacuated due to flooding caused by Kristine.
OCD-Region 2 Information Officer Alvin Ayson said 392 families or 1,438 individuals were evacuated in the City of Ilagan, Isabela as of 5 a.m. Thursday.
Ayson said the preemptive evacuation of residents in Calayan, Lal-lo, and Solana towns in Cagayan; Cabatuan, Jones, Palanan, and Divilacan towns in Isabela, and Dupax del Norte in Nueva Vizcaya is ongoing.
Fourteen are impassable in Region 2 due to flood.
All flights in airports in Tuguegarao City and Cauayan City, Isabela were canceled due to the tropical cyclone.
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Area Center 2 Manager Mary Sagorsor said lights will resume once the weather becomes normal.
Sagorsor advised affected travelers to re-book their flights or refund their fares.
The Police Regional Office-1 mobilized disaster preparedness and response assets to ensure the safety of the people of the Ilocos region from Kristine.
"PRO-1 has maximized its public information efforts, including regular updates and safety advisories disseminated through the Official FB page, local news, and other social media platforms. We encourage citizens to stay informed and follow safety guidelines,” Police Brig. Gen. Lou F. Evangelista, Ilocos police chief, said.
“Our priority will be life-saving measures and maintaining public order. Hindi natin hahayaan na mapahamak ang ating mga kababayan (We won't let the people be harmed). We urge everyone to stay indoors and prepare emergency kits with essential supplies at home. Remain vigilant and call our emergency hotline numbers for immediate assistance or evacuation,” Evangelista added.
Police Regional Office-2 (Cagayan Valley) chief Police Brig. Gen. Antonio P. Marallag Jr. has deployed the Reactionary Standby Support Force for search and rescue operations for victims of Kristine.