By Jeanne Michael Penaranda

 QUEZON CITY — Typhoon Kristine (international name: Trami) battered the big parts of Luzon bringing rains that triggered big floods in many areas, especially the Bicol region, and landslides closing several roads and killed at least 20 people, seven of them in Bicol, with several missing.

Malacañang suspended government work and classes at all levels for three days, including the Bicol Region which was declared in a state of calamity due to the continuous rainfall. Several flights were cancelled while travel of ships and boats were suspended, stranding hundreds of passengers.

Power was also cut off in big parts of Luzon, including Calabarzon.

More than  two million individuals were affected by the typhoon, in Bicol, Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Luzon and Cordilleras, many of whom were evacuated to safer grounds and evacuation centers.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. immediately presided at an emergency meeting at the National Disaster Center in Camp Aguinaldo where he ordered massive search and rescue operations and distribution of relief goods and assistance, among others.

In the Bicol region “unexpectedly high” flooding was complicating rescue efforts, police said. 

Floods were also reported in 722 barangays in the region, most of them in Camarines Sur with 562, followed by Albay with 74.

Landslides were also reported in 19 areas including 10 in Albay, four in Sorsogon, three in Camarines Sur, and two in Camarines Norte.

One person drowned inside a bus that was swept away by floodwaters in the Naga City, where three others also drowned, police added.

An elderly woman drowned in Quezon province, while a toddler was also killed after falling into a flooded canal, police said.

At press time, parts of Northern Luzon remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 in several areas of Northern Luzon hours after it made landfall in Isabela province early Thursday morning, the weather bureau said.

The severe tropical storm packs maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 160 kph. It was last tracked in the vicinity of Tumauini, Isabela.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) reported that 30 road sections in Bicol, Calabarzon, Cordillera, Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas are closed to traffic due to the impact of Kristine.

Also at press time, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said the cyclone and the northeasterly windflow will cause strong to gale-force gusts over Mimaropa, Bicol Region, Visayas, Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Zamboanga del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Northern Mindanao, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental.

PAGASA added there is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge up to 3.0 m. above normal tide levels in the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Zambales, and Quezon.

Gale warning is still hoisted over the seaboards of Luzon and the Visayas.

Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. PAGASA advised mariners to remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.