Severe Tropical Storm Kristine’s damage to agriculture and houses in Negros Occidental increased on Friday, Oct. 25, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) reported.
The search for two missing fishermen from Barangay Zone 1, Cadiz City, was still ongoing, Commander Jansen Benjamin, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Northern Negros Occidental head, also said on Friday night.
Reported missing are Joren Parochil, 22, and Edwin Hinojales, 17, he said.
Monica Jore, owner of the motor banca they were on, informed the PCG Thursday night that the two fishermen who had gone fishing in the morning had not returned, Benjamin said.
HOUSES DESTROYED
Meanwhile, the total “Kristine” affected families in 19 Negros Occidental local government units were 12,489 with 52.946 members, the PDRRMC reported.
The evacuees who had not returned home as of Friday were 648 with 2,133 members, it added.
The houses destroyed by strong winds and flood waters increased to 41, while those damaged were 665, the PDRRMC reported.
CROP DAMAGE
Damage to rice crops, aquaculture and farm animals rose to P4,216,942, the PDRRMC said.
Damage to rice crops in 10 LGUs was P3,221,433 affecting 206 farmers, while damage to aquaculture in Cadiz and EB Magalona was P575, 930.
The inclement weather also caused the death of 1,329 farm animals costing P419, 578 in Bago, Pontevedra, Pulupandan, La Carlota City and Valladolid.
ANOTHER STORM
“Kristine” exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Friday afternoon but the possibility that it could loop back Sunday and Monday remained, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
Meanwhile, a tropical depression outside PAR has intensified into a tropical storm and will be locally named Leon (international name Kong-rey) on entering the country, PAGASA added.*