Severe Tropical Storm Nock-ten (locally known as Nina) is expected to make landfall in the Bicol Region, Philippines on December 25, Christmas Day. The storm is expected to intensify into a typhoon before it hits land.
In a bulletin issued 11 a.m. on Friday, state weather bureau PAGASA reported that Nock-ten is already 790 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. The severe tropical storm strengthened further late Friday morning and now has maximum winds of up to 105 km/h and gustiness of up to 130 km/h.
Nock-ten’s landfall this Sunday (Christmas Day) in Bicol will either be in the afternoon or evening. This might bring difficulty for the people to immediately evacuate.
PAGASA earlier warned that Nock-ten could become a typhoon and may cause storm surges in coastal communities, and landslides and flashfloods in upland and low-lying areas.
CARE is closely monitoring the typhoon situation and coordinating with its partners, UNOCHA, the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Council and international non-government organization networks in Manila. CARE is working with the Leyte Center for Development (LCDE) and other partners for rapid needs assessment and immediate response in the affected areas.
“It is very unfortunate that the storm will hit on Christmas Day, a festive time for Filipinos to celebrate and be with their families,” said David Gazashvili, CARE Philippines Country Director.
“Our emergency team and our partner organizations are ready to carry out rapid assessments in affected areas and provide relief assistance.”
CARE has already responded in Eastern Visayas region (one of the areas to be affected) since November 2013, and has established linkages with communities and local government units. CARE has worked in the Philippines since 1949, providing emergency relief when disaster strikes and helping communities prepare for disasters. CARE's past responses in the Philippines have included typhoon Bopha in 2012, Haiyan in 2013, Hagupit in 2014, Koppu and Melor in 2015. CARE continues assisting typhoon Haiyan-affected communities helping them to rebuild their livelihoods.
You can find more information about our work in the Philippines here.
CARE Philippine Key Contact For Media Interviews:
Dennis Amata, Information and Communications Manager, CARE Philippines, Mobile: +63905 275 3752. Email: [email protected]