Severe Tropical Storm Crising Devastates La Union
La Union 1st District Representative Francisco Paolo Ortega V urgently called for aid after Severe Tropical Storm Crising battered the province. The storm, along with the southwest monsoon and two other cyclones, caused widespread destruction across the region.
According to local leaders, La Union suffered losses amounting to P1 billion affecting agriculture, housing, and infrastructure. “Aid is ready, but many areas remain inaccessible. We urgently call on the national government to send reinforcements for road clearing and power restoration so we can deliver assistance to every community,” Ortega emphasized.
Road Clearing and Power Restoration Crucial for Recovery
Ortega stressed that without immediate repair of damaged infrastructure, recovery efforts will be prolonged. “If we don’t fix the infrastructure immediately, our entire province will take longer to recover. We need to treat this as a serious development setback that demands an equally serious response,” he said.
Teams from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Provincial Engineering Office have been conducting clearing operations in affected villages like Barangay Suyo in Bagulin town. These efforts aim to open access routes and restore essential services.
Mass Evacuations and Ongoing Challenges
In total, 209 families or 692 individuals from 17 villages were evacuated due to the impact of Severe Tropical Storm Crising. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported that nearly 5.3 million people, or about 1.46 million families, were affected by the combined effects of the habagat and the three tropical cyclones.
Sadly, the death toll from heavy rains and flooding has risen to 30 as of Saturday morning. The most recent cyclone, Typhoon Emong, exited the Philippine area of responsibility early on July 26, according to official weather agencies.
Coordinated Efforts Needed for Swift Recovery
Local authorities continue to coordinate with national agencies to expedite relief operations. They emphasize that clearing roads and restoring power are top priorities to reach isolated communities. These actions will help deliver food, medical aid, and other essential supplies quickly.
Sources said the combined damage from Severe Tropical Storm Crising, Tropical Storm Dante, and Typhoon Emong marks a significant setback for La Union’s development. Immediate and sustained support is vital to help the province rebuild and recover.
For more news and updates on Severe Tropical Storm Crising, visit Filipinokami.com.
