Our country was battered, once again, by yet another severe tropical storm locally known as Kristine and internationally as Trami.
As of Friday afternoon, while reported casualties have reached 20, the number is expected to increase while Kristine lingers/batters more areas in its path.
Gratefully, as of its 11 A.M., October 25, PAG-ASA reported that Kristine is about to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
However, severe winds/heavy rainfall outlook are still expected and so all are still alerted and warned to remain vigilant versus possible hazards, especially harm to people and property that Kristine may bring.
While we are heartened seeing groups and communities already pro-actively prepared for tropical storms like Kristine --fisherfolks, in bayanihan fashion, carrying boats to safer, higher levels, evacuation centers and disaster food packs ready, rescue teams collaborating together for faster assistance and response and so on-- still we cannot help but also be saddened by the unevenness of disaster preparation and management throughout the country.
Kristine seems to have battered a wider range of areas in Luzon, even Visayas and Mindanao. Response and rescue, sadly, seems again to have been inadequate in many areas, like in Bicol, Quezon, and other areas of Luzon.
Aside from loss of life and injuries, there are the usual cries of those who have nothing to return to after the storm since their houses and their belongings have been swept away by the heavy rains and floods. Farmers lost their crops and therefore have nothing left to harvest. Students may have to conduct outside post-storm classes as their schools have been carried away by the strong winds and rains. Fisherfolks have lost some of their friends when Kristine unleashed her fury.
With no crops, no fish, so much destruction of structures, roads, bridges and more, food supply will once again be problematic, food prices expected to escalate if unregulated.
To the already huge pool of poor and hungry before Kristine, thousands more will be added to those needing food, clothing, shelter, and more.
To the pre-storm needy Filipinos, thousands more have been added among the hopeless and desperate. Again we ask, as we always do after disasters hit our people, our land, will the victims be able to rise ever again and start anew with hope?
So many needing attention, immediate and long-term meaningful response. The rescuers, the responders are there but are they enough to service all who need help? There are rescuers and responders who are also needing help and assistance themselves.
Will the much-needed help and response especially urgently required by those seriously affected by Kristine come on time for the poor victims?
We sincerely hope so. We fervently pray for timely, adequate intervention and rescue for all the needy.
We also pray that Kristine will not do a U-turn as some reports have forecasted.
Will Kristine loop “over the West Philippine Sea on Sunday (October 27) and Monday (October 28) and move eastward or east northwestward towards the general direction of the PAR region because of a low pressure area east of northeastern Mindanao, which is expected to develop into a tropical depression within the next 24 hours”?
Will a Fujiwara effect take place when Kristine may interact with the incoming forecasted tropical cyclone? Will the “two tropical cyclones spin in the same direction, pass close enough to each other and begin an intense dance around their common center?''
We pray Kristine will not do a U-turn and return to the PAR and dance with the other tropical cyclone so that no further or worse harm and destruction will seriously affect more of our people and communities.
Let us join hands and pray together that Kristine will leave the Philippines soonest and no other tropical storm will enter/inflict further serious damage and destruction.