A total of 249 cities and municipalities declared a state of calamity as a result of the devastation wrought by tropical storm “Kristine” and super typhoon “Leon” that affected around 8.6 million people from 2.1 million families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC).
Based on the NDRRMC data, Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) has the most number of cities and municipalities which declared a state of calamity, followed by Bicol region with 84, and Eastern Visayas with 13.
Calabarzon and Bicol region were the hardest hit by “Kristine” after the heavy rains it unleashed resulted in massive flooding.
In the NDRRMC data, Bicol region has the most affected population with over three million from 721,885 families; followed by Central Luzon with 1.09 million from 331,849 families; and Calabarzon with 1.01 million from over 241,000 families.
While electricity and water supplies have already been restored in most of the areas hit by “Kristine”, several areas are still experiencing communication problems.
The NDRRMC also reported that the damage to infrastructure and agriculture from the two weather disturbances have already reached P7.3 billion and P4.4 billion, respectively.
The figures, however, are still expected to increase as the assessments and in far-flung areas, as well as the effects of “Leon”, are still being conducted.