Almost 500 families flee homes in Eastern Isabela island town

BAGUIO CITY (October 24, 2024)— At least 491 families (1,766 individuals) in Palanan, Isabela, an island town facing the Pacific Ocean in North Eastern Philippines, fled to safety as severe tropical storm "Kristine" has been bringing strong rains and strong winds.



According to the Palanan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), rhe 491 families are from 9 barangays of the island town. 

Some evacuees, aside from taking refuge at government-designated evacuation centers, also took temporary shelters in churches and some in the barangay halls. 

In Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, some 51 families or 182 individuals from nine barangays also fled their homes.

Tuguegarao City Disaster Risk and Management Office (CDRRMO) personnel have been readying relief packs for evacuees and other flood-affected villagers.

While government troopers from the Philippine Army’s 24th Infantry Battalion have been alerted to be on standby and ready to assist residents of two flood-prone barangays im Tayum and Bangued towns in Abra. 

In Tabuk City, Kalinga, 172 families (504 individuals) sought refuge various evacuation centers: Agbannawag Barangay hall; Malalao Barangay Hall; Laya East Barangay Hall; Dagupan West Barangay Hall; in the residence of one of the barangay officials, Gobgob Elementary School and the Catholic Church in Tabuk City.

In Asipulo town in Ifugao, nine families (26 individuals) are now in the evacuation centers, as of 9:30 AM Thursday, "Kristine" was spotted in the vicinity of Aguinaldo town in that province.