Tropical Cyclone TRAMI (Kristine), Philippines

On 22 October 2024

Severe Tropical Storm TRAMI (Local Name: Kristine) Causes Heavy Rainfall, Landslides and Widespread Flooding in the Philippines

On October 22, 2024, Tropical Storm Kristine unleashed heavy rainfall, leading to severe flooding in multiple provinces. As of October 29, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported extensive damage to agricultural lands and infrastructure, prompting evacuations and relief efforts to assist affected communities. Local authorities are mobilizing resources to provide assistance and manage the unfolding disaster.

As of October 30, the latest situation indicates that two cyclones struck the Philippines in quick succession, with Typhoon Leon entering the Philippine area of responsibility on October 26, just one day after Kristine departed.

Philippines

Impact on Affected Areas

As of October 30, NDRRMC reported that the death toll from Severe Tropical Storm Kristine has risen to 145.Additionally, 115 individuals have sustained injuries, and 37 people are still reported missing.

The storm has affected at least 7 million Filipinos across all 17 regions of the country.

Agricultural Devastation

The Department of Agriculture (DA) reported that the damage to the crop and fisheries sectors due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) has reached P3.40 billion. This assessment includes inputs from regional offices in various areas, including the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Western and Eastern Visayas, Soccsksargen, and Caraga Region.

The storm has affected 79,904 farmers and caused damage over 76,785 hectares (ha) of agricultural land, resulting in a production loss of 174,087 metric tons (MT). The losses for rice and corn are valued at P3.10 billion and P43.34 million, respectively. The breakdown of damaged commodities is as follows:

Rice (palay): 164,510 MT

Corn: 1,981 MT

Cassava: 161 MT

High-value crops: 7,369 MT

Fisheries: 66 MT

In Cagayan Valley, the damage to rice plants is estimated at P500 million, according to Rose Mary Aquino, regional executive director of the Department of Agriculture, with extensive damage reported across 96,000 hectares, 40 percent of which were in the reproductive stage. Losses totaled P521.33 million, with P506 million representing damage.

Isabela, is a province in the Cagayan Valley region (Region II), suffered the most significant losses, totaling approximately P498 million in crop damage, of which P382 million was only partially affected. Quirino reported P3 million in crop losses, while Cagayan’s final damage report is still pending validation. Corn crop damage was minimal, impacting around 50,000 ha and resulting in P9 million in losses in Cagayan and P1 million in Quirino. Fisheries sustained about P3 million in losses, affecting 138 fisherfolk across the region.

In the Visayas, as of Tuesday, October 29,NDRRMC reported that agricultural damage and losses caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine amount to P26,312,684.38. According to data from the Department of Agriculture, the report indicated P18,906,958.18 in agricultural production losses for Western Visayas and P7,405,726.20 for Eastern Visayas. The storm has impacted approximately 1,560 farmers and fisherfolk, with a total of 732.33 hectares of crop areas reported as damaged due to the effects of Kristine.

Government Response and Countermeasures in Philippines

The department will be providing the following items to affected communities:

    -  P541.02 million worth of agricultural inputs (rice, corn, and vegetable seeds, as well as drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry)

    -  Bags of rice stocks from the National Food Authority for distribution as relief by local governments, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and other agencies to affected families

    -  Deployment of Kadiwa stores to affected areas

    -  A P1 billion Quick Response Fund for the rehabilitation and recovery of affected areas

Source:

(1)ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council

(2) National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and (3) Philippines News Agencies

References:

1. https://ahacentre.org/flash-update/flash-update-no-01-tropical-cyclone-trami-kristine-philippines-22-october-2024/
2. Agricultural damage due to Kristine climbs to P3.40B (inquirer.net)
3. Kristine ruins P500M rice plants in Cagayan Valley (inquirer.net)
4. Severe Tropical Storm Kristine: Track, wind signals, rainfall warnings, rescue, relief efforts (rappler.com) (credit to John Sitchon and Iya Gozum)
5. 'Kristine,' 'Leon' death toll rises to 145 – NDRRMC | Philstar.com

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