The wrath of Severe Tropical Storm Opong has left a deadly toll in the Bicol Region, with the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) confirming on Friday that four people lost their lives as the storm battered Southern Luzon.
According to OCD Region 5, three of the fatalities were recorded in Masbate, one of the hardest-hit provinces in the area, while another death was reported in Camarines Norte. Details surrounding the incidents are still being verified, but authorities said the victims were either swept away by floods or caught in storm-related accidents.
The storm’s devastation extends beyond Bicol. In Eastern Visayas, at least six individuals remain missing, feared trapped or carried off by raging floodwaters as heavy rains and winds continued to pound the region. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with local disaster response units and volunteer groups scouring coastal and low-lying communities.
Officials warned residents in vulnerable areas to remain vigilant, noting that Opong’s wide radius and intense rainfall could trigger further flooding and landslides. “We are intensifying search and rescue efforts while ensuring that evacuation centers are ready to accommodate those displaced,” OCD spokespersons said.
As of Friday afternoon, thousands of families have already sought shelter in government-designated evacuation sites across Bicol and Eastern Visayas. Relief operations are underway, with local governments coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide food packs, clean water, and medical assistance to affected communities.
Opong, the 15th tropical cyclone to hit the Philippines this year, has been moving westward across Luzon, leaving a trail of destruction that underscores the country’s vulnerability to severe weather events. With more rains expected in the coming hours, authorities continue to urge residents not to return to their homes until conditions are declared safe.