TACLOBAN CITY - Rough seas caused by Tropical Storm Kristine have stranded over a thousand passengers in different ports in the Eastern Visayas region, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported on Wednesday. The daily issuance of notice of mariners by PCG halted the travel of at least 1,035 individuals heading to Central Visayas, Bicol, and Surigao from the ports in Leyte and Samar Island. The PCG said in its report that 389 trucks and other rolling cargoes remained in ports due to the cancellation of 14 roll-on, roll-off vessels in the region. Stranded passengers are taking shelter in ports and have been assisted by local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development. Ports with trips outside the region are in Tacloban City, Baybay City, Ormoc City, Bato, Hilongos in Leyte; Calbayog City in Samar; Naval in Biliran; Allen and San Isidro in Northern Samar; and Maasin City, Liloan, and San Ricardo in Southern Leyte province. 'All vessels are reminded to take precautionary measures a nd be extra vigilant in monitoring the movement of typhoon if deemed to be affected by said weather disturbance. The voyage of vessels will resume until further notice and upon improvement of weather and sea condition,' the PCG said in its notice. In its 2 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday, PAGASA said Kristine has maximum sustained winds of 85 km. per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph. It was last tracked 155 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted in all Eastern Visayas provinces: Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Biliran, and Southern Leyte. Source: Philippines News Agency
Thursday, October 24, 2024