Naga spared from Tino’s hit but woes mirror Kristine

By Ryan Mostar and Paulo DS Papa

THE devastation left by Typhoon Tino in Cebu this week has drawn parallels to Typhoon Kristine, which caused severe flooding in Naga City and nearby towns in October 2024.

Both storms brought torrential rains that submerged homes, displaced thousands, and exposed persistent gaps in local disaster preparedness.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) recorded at least 52 confirmed deaths from Typhoon Tino, while more than 400,000 residents were evacuated as floods swept through major cities and municipalities. Key roads and seaports remained closed, while cleanup and power restoration were still underway as of midweek.

A year earlier, Typhoon Kristine triggered widespread flooding across Naga City, forcing mass evacuations and cutting off power in several barangays. Damage to property and infrastructure ran into millions, leaving communities struggling to recover for months.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), both Tino and Kristine delivered rainfall levels exceeding 150 mm in just 24 hours—enough to overwhelm drainage systems and cause rivers to overflow.

Disaster officials and planners have since noted that while storm intensity continues to increase due to climate change, the impact is worsened by clogged waterways, unplanned urban growth, and inadequate flood control systems.

As Cebu begins recovery from Typhoon Tino, the parallel with Naga’s experience under Typhoon Kristine serves as a reminder that the challenges of preparedness and resilience remain unresolved across many Philippine cities.

Naga City was spared from the devastating effects of Typhoon Tino, although drainage problems remain a concern as flooding was reported in several areas during hours of light rain on Monday evening, November 3.

According to PAGASA-DOST’s 11:00 a.m. weather forecast on November 3, the entire province of Camarines Sur was placed under a yellow rainfall warning, with 50–100 mm of rainfall expected.

Weather specialist Mike Padua, in his forecast on the same day, said the province was covered by the typhoon’s outer bands as it entered the Eastern Visayas area.

Padua added that isolated rain showers also formed within the range of the band, thus flooding was expected in low-lying areas.

City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Raynor Rodriguez said Tuesday morning that about 30 mm of rain fell on Monday evening, although the rainfall continued until midnight.

Rodriguez admitted that some parts of the city experienced flooding despite the relatively small amount of rainfall.

This included Ninoy and Cory Avenue in Barangay Triangulo, where he suspected that the drainage system had silt-filled sinkholes, causing rainwater to stagnate on the streets.

To recall, City Engineer Elmer Albo earlier told the press that some drainage systems in the city remain clogged with silt left by floodwaters brought by Typhoon Kristine last year.

Albo said that desilting is the solution, especially for drainage canals built under projects initiated by the city government.

He revealed, however, that they could not de-silt drainage systems constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) because “they are not under the city’s jurisdiction.”

Albo explained that these drainage systems had not been turned over by the DPWH; hence, the agency should undertake the cleaning.

Meanwhile, Camarines Sur 3rd District Engineer Romeo Doloiras of the DPWH maintained that the agency had already turned over the drainage systems, and therefore the city government should take responsibility for their de-silting.

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1,000 to help declog drainages

Rodriguez disclosed that around 1,000 workers from different barangays are currently engaged under the Tulong Panghanapbuhay para sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

He said these workers will manually declog drainage systems in the city for ten days—a significant help in mitigating flooding in the city.

He added that the City Engineer’s Office will identify which drainages in the city need declogging and desilting.

Aftermath of Kristine in Naga City, October 2024