21 Families, 95 Individuals Evacuated in Cagayan Amid Approaching Severe Tropical Storm Kiyapo

At least 21 families, or 95 individuals, in three towns in Cagayan were moved to evacuation centers as Severe Tropical Storm Kiyapo struck parts of Northern Luzon, the Provincial Disaster Risk-Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO) said on Friday. The evacuees include four families or 15 persons from Casagan, Santa Ana town; two families or 21 persons in Lal-lo; and 15 families or 59 individuals in Gonzaga. According to the PDRRMO, local governments in the affected areas distributed relief goods and household kits to the displaced families. Kiyapo had intensified into a severe tropical storm as of 7 p.m. on Friday, according to the state weather bureau. Philippines, located in the typhoon belt, frequently experiences tropical cyclones. The evacuation due to Kiyapo highlights the ongoing need for preparedness and response mechanisms for natural disasters. Government agencies continue to focus on early warning systems, evacuation center management, and timely aid distribution, while public awareness remains a crucial element in mitigating disaster impact.