Thousands of Baler travelers warned as ‘Chedeng’ nears
Tourists in Baler, Aurora, a popular surfing destination, had been warned of waves that could be dangerous due to Typhoon “Chedeng” (international name “Maysak”).
“We know that people go there for surfing … the waves may be great for now until tomorrow but this is not ordinary because this is brought about by Typhoon Chedeng and that place is dangerous,” National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Executive Director Alexander Pama said in a press briefing on Thursday.
Dr. Esperanza Cayanan, the weather division chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, said that Baler Bay is a storm surge-prone area based on historical data.
“It may have brought waves that our surfers would love, but this is still a storm we’re looking at,” she said, adding the strong waves may be dangerous to people living on the coastal areas in eastern Luzon.
“It’s fun in the Philippines pero syempre po, mas mabuti yung nag-iingat tayo (but of course, it’s better if we take necessary precautions).”
Interior Secretary Austere Panadero said local government units were told to give warnings to resort owners on what could happen as Chedeng neared. The typhoon is expected to make landfall by Saturday evening or early Sunday, but its effects may be felt by Friday.
“If they are already in the area they can check their options if they can reconsider getting out of that place as early as tomorrow before the typhoon hits them. That will be the most desirable action,” he said.
Pama said that about 10,000 tourists in Baler were recorded for the Holy Week while about 500 were in Balesin, a private club in Polillo, Quezon province.
If the tourists could no longer cancel their plans, Panadero said that there must be preparations made by resort owners, travel agencies, tourists groups and local governments.
Chedeng packed maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 210 kph as of 5 p.m. on Thursday. It also slowed down 15 kph northwest.
The typhoon was last observed 970 kilometers east southeast of Virac, Catanduanes. RC
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