MANILA, Philippines — The total number of stranded passengers due to the inclement weather brought about by Tropical Depression “Usman” has spiked to more than 17,000, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Friday afternoon.
In its update, the PCG recorded 17,315 stranded passengers in the following areas as of 8 a.m. on Friday:
National Capital Region-Central Luzon – 1,049
Central Visayas- 1,648
Southern Tagalog- 1,770 passengers
Western Visayas – 982 passengers
Bicol- 6,586 passengers
Eastern Visayas- 4,091 passengers
Northern Mindanao- 453 passengers
Southern Visayas – 736 passengers
Moreover, 1,443 rolling cargoes, 116 vessels, and 24 motor bancas were also stranded in different ports around the country.
The PCG suspended sea trips in at least 12 areas on Thursday. The agency said trips would resume once weather and sea conditions improve.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its latest weather update that Usman was last spotted 250 kilometers East of Guiuan, Eastern Samar.
READ: ‘Usman’ maintains strength, almost stationary — Pagasa
It has maintained its strength with winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 65 kph.
The state weather bureau has raised Tropical Cyclone Signal (TCS) No. 1 over 27 areas nationwide. /ee