Philippines – Dozens Killed or Missing as Tropical Storm Kai-Tak Causes Floods and Landslides

At least 27 people have died and over 20 are still missing in the Philippines after Tropical Storm Kai-Tak (known locally as Urduja) swept through central areas of the country.

The country’s Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) said that 766,221 people have been affected by the storm in Bicol, Western, Central and Eastern Visayas, Mimaropa and Caraga.

As of 18 December, over 230,000 people had evacuated their homes with 190,247 housed in evacuation centres, and a further 46,081 displaced and staying with family or friends.

DSWD added that 48 houses have been totally damaged and 101 partially damaged Eastern Visayas and Caraga Regions.

Kai-Tak intensified into a Tropical Storm on 14 December from an area of low pressure east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. However, from 17 December the storm weakened into a Tropical Depression and over the next 24 hours it is forecast to continue moving south-west, away from the Philippines to the South China Sea, weakening further.

Biliran Province

Biliran province, an island province located in the Eastern Visayas region, is the worst affected area.

At least 27 deaths have been reported in Biliran due to landslides and flooding, with a further 24 people reported missing. Initial reports on Sunday showed that 16 of the fatalities were from Caibiran, a municipality surrounded by rivers.

The government has placed the province under a state of calamity.

According to Philippine News Agency (PNA), Biliran Governor Gerardo Espina, Jr said the extent of damage was unexpected with Urduja’s maximum winds of less than 100 km/h, but the days of heavy rain before its landfall was very destructive.

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