MANILA — The deadly Typhoon ‘KristinePH’ has claimed 46 lives in the Philippines, with 20 people still missing. Nearly 240,000 people are currently staying in evacuation centers for safety. Over 7,500 passengers are stranded at ports, and 36 flights were canceled on Friday.
The storm, known locally as Kristine, hit Luzon Island on Thursday with powerful winds of nearly 100 kilometers per hour. The heavy rains triggered landslides and floods, especially in the Bicol region, where rain fell as much as it usually does in two months. Roads are covered with mud, and homes are buried under floodwaters and debris.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. promised help to those affected, saying, “Help is on the way. It will come by land, air, and even by sea.” He visited flooded communities and suspended work and school classes across Luzon, including Manila, for a third day.
Although Kristine is currently moving over the South China Sea towards Vietnam, the weather agency warns it may turn back next week due to nearby weather patterns.