TD ‘Usman’ strands 20,357 passengers at various ports — PCG

MANILA, Philippines — More passengers are stranded due to Tropical Depression “Usman,” the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced Friday afternoon.

In its updated tally, the PCG said a total of 20,357 passengers remain stranded in various ports around the country as of Friday noon:

National Capital Region-Central Luzon – 665

Central Visayas- 2,074

Southern Tagalog- 3,479

Western Visayas – 913

Bicol- 7,793

Eastern Visayas- 4,511

Northern Mindanao- 118

Southern Visayas – 804

Moreover, 1,772 rolling cargoes, 120 vessels, and 21 motor bancas were also stranded in different ports nationwide

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 around the country. /muf