MANILA, Philippines — The number of stranded passengers in the country’s various ports has reached over 6,000 due to tropical depression “Usman.”
In an advisory, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recorded a total of 6,445 stranded passengers in the following ports in the Central Visayas, Bicol and Northern Mindanao regions as Dec. 27 noon:
Central Visayas
Pier 1, Cebu City – 105
Hilton Wharf – 21
Pier 3, 4, 5 Cebu City – 45
Tabuelan Port – 54
Hagnaya Port – 62
Danao Port 80
Ubay Port – 200
Bicol
Pasacao Port – 124
Matnog Port – 2,357
Bulan Port – 115
Pio Duran Port – 395
Leyte
Port of Ormoc – 599
Port of Bato – 40
Port of Maasin – 80
Liloan Port – 56
Port of San Ricardo – 362
Samar
Port of Balwarteco – 134
Port of San Isidro – 24
Port of Jubasan – 772
Port of Calbayog -205
Northern Mindanao
Port of Dinagat – 355
Aside from passengers, 380 rolling cargoes, 33 vessels and 19 motor bancas were also stranded in various ports.
The PCG has suspended vessel trips in 11 areas on Thursday due to the rough sea condition, including Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, and Dinagat Islands.
The PCG also suspended all sea travels from Surigao City in Surigao del Norte.
READ: Sea travel suspended in ‘Usman’-affected areas – Coast Guard
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), moderate to heavy rains, which may trigger flooding and landslides, are expected to affect Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Dinagat Islands on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the same severe weather will also be experienced over the Visayas, Bicol Region, Mindoro provinces, Marinduque, Romblon, and Quezon on Friday.
“Usman” was last spotted 450 kilometers (km) east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte or 440 km east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 65 kph. It was moving west-northwest at 15 kph.
“Usman” is expected to make landfall over Eastern Samar on Friday afternoon, Pagasa said. /muf