Waterspout damages parts of Tacloban airport

TACLOBAN CITY –– A waterspout has damaged portions of the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in this city on Monday evening.

An employee of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the incident happened at 6:28 p.m. and lasted for five minutes.

“The waterspout started at the ramp area of the airport, then moved towards the terminal building, which destroyed a portion of its ceiling and shattered its glass door,” said an employee assigned at the security office, who spoke on condition of anonymity for lack of authority to speak.

“There were passengers at that time, but good thing none of them was hurt due to the waterspout,” he added.

He said similar incidents often happen at the DZR Airport, which is facing San Pedro Bay.

“But what happened last night was so far the strongest, which lasted between three to five minutes,” he said.

The incident destroyed a portion of the ceiling and the glass door of the airport’s passenger terminal building.

The airport’s boom barrier, located at its main entrance, was also damaged.

Lawrence Cordova, 56, a driver who was in the area when the incident happened, likened his experience to Supertyphoon Yolanda.

He said he was outside his van waiting for his passengers when he felt the strong wind.

“The wind was so strong that it damaged other vehicles. I’m thankful to the Lord that no person was injured,” he said.

LZB