Tropical Storm “Trami” (Kristine) claims 26 lives in Bicol, Philippines ahead of landfall
Three people have been reported dead in Bicol, Philippines due to the floods and landslides triggered by the approaching Tropical Storm “Trami” (Kristine). The storm is expected to make landfall during the night of Wednesday, October 23, 2024 (LT), near Isabela. The system has already forced thousands to flee their homes before landfall. Several homes have already been destroyed even before the worst impact of the storm.
Satellite image of Tropical Storm "Trami" (Kristine) at 07:40 UTC on October 23, 2024. Image credit: JMA/Himawari-9, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
Tropical Storm “Trami” (Kristine) has brought heavy rains, causing landslides and intense flooding in several parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, forcing thousands to evacuate their homes. Sea travel has been suspended, stranding hundreds of passengers and vessels at seaports.
Three people have been reported dead in the Bicol region due to the storm’s impact, according to the Police Regional Office on Wednesday, October 23. As of 06:00 local time (LT), one person remains missing, and six have been reported injured.
Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported seven missing persons, while the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported only three missing persons and one injury due to the storm.
Around 382 000 individuals have been affected by Trami in Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Zamboanga Peninsula, according to the NDRRMC. Around 12 330 of the affected people are staying in evacuation centers, while another 364 are taking shelter in other places.
Some 57 homes have been damaged, of which 8 were destroyed. 35 areas in the affected regions are experiencing power outages, with one area reporting issues with communication lines.
34 seaports in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Central Visayas, and Eastern Visayas have suspended operations due to Trami, stranding 4 753 passengers, 703 rolling cargoes, 26 vessels, and 13 motorized boats. Schools and work schedules have been suspended in hundreds of areas in the affected regions.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been raised over 31 areas in Luzon as Tropical Storm “Kristine” maintained its strength and accelerated toward the Isabela area, state weather bureau PAGASA said on Wednesday.
As of 09:00 UTC on Wednesday, the storm was located roughly 304 km (189 miles) northeast of Manila. It had a minimum central pressure of 985 hPa and maximum sustained winds of 90 km/h (56 mph) with gusts up to 126 km/h (79 mph).
The storm is expected to make landfall near Isabela in Cagayan Valley at around 15:00 UTC (23:00 LT) on Wednesday, according to the JTWC.
The storm is expected to begin weakening and decoupling as it moves over Luzon with a possible leeside jump. This will result in a dip in the forecast track as a new pressure center forms and strengthens off Luzon’s west coast at around 09:00 UTC on Thursday, October 24.
According to PAGASA, up to 200 mm (7.87 inches) of rain is forecast for Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Aurora, Quezon, and Camarines Norte, and 100 – 200 mm (3.94 – 7.87 inches) for Camarines Sur, the rest of Cagayan Valley, the rest of the Cordillera Administrative Region, and Ilocos Region, including Rizal, through Wednesday. Rainfall of 50 – 100 mm (1.97 – 3.94 inches) is forecast for other regions in the affected areas.
Up to 200 mm (7.87 inches) of rainfall is forecast for Pangasinan, Zambales, and La Union on Thursday, while 100 – 200 mm (3.94 – 7.87 inches) is forecast for the rest of Ilocos Region, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and Bataan. Rainfall of 50 – 100 mm (1.97 – 3.94 inches) is expected for Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Occidental Mindoro on Thursday.
Pangasinan, Zambales, and La Union will continue to receive rainfall, with 50 – 100 mm (1.97 – 3.94 inches) expected through Friday, October 25.
Once Trami passes over the Philippines it is expected to re-intensify into a typhoon before moving towards Vietnam. Landfall in Vietnam is expected on October 28.
Updates
15:46 UTC, October 24
As of October 24, Tropical Storm “Trami” has caused deaths of at least 26 people in the Philippines.
Most fatalities occurred in the Bicol region and Quezon province due to torrential rains that led to flash floods and drowning. Authorities are concerned that the death toll could rise as communication with isolated towns and villages is restored.
Over 2 million people have been affected, with 75 400 displaced from their homes and seeking refuge in safer areas.
Mudflows from Mount Mayon covered vehicles in Albay province, hampering rescue operations.
Even though the storm has left the Philippine coast, severe weather is still hindering relief efforts.
More than 300 roads and bridges remain impassable due to flooding, landslides, and fallen trees, and over 1 000 homes have been damaged.
Inter-island ferry services are still suspended at 120 seaports, stranding 7 000 passengers and cargo workers.
Trami has exited into the China Sea and is expected to intensify to a peak of 111 km/h (69 mph) within the next 24 hours.
The current forecast track takes Trami westward toward to Vietnam on October 27 and then a turn back westward, without making landfall.
References:
1 PROGNOSTIC REASONING FOR TROPICAL STORM 22W (TRAMI) – JTWC– Issued at 09:00 UTC on October 23, 2024
2 WEATHER ADVISORY NO. 13 – PAGASA – Issued at 06:00 UTC on October 23, 2024
3 T2420(Trami) – JMA – Accessed at 10:30 UTC on October 23, 2024
4 Storm Trami triggers floods, landslides, blackouts across Philippines – ANN – October 23, 2024
5 3 reported dead in Bicol due to Kristine — police – GMA – October 23, 2024
6 Tropical storm battering Philippines leaves at least 24 people dead in flooding and landslides – AP – October 24, 2024
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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