Thousands stranded as flights, sea trips canceled

As it faced the country’s first Signal No. 5 since October last year, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) temporarily shut down flights at seven airports in the Bicol Region, where Supertyphoon “Uwan” (international name: Fung-wong) is expected to make landfall.

For the same reason, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that 6,607 individuals, including passengers, crew, and cargo staff, were stranded across 86 ports nationwide on Monday morning.

According to Caap, operations in the following airports have been suspended since 4 a.m.: Bicol International Airport, Daraga, Albay; Naga Airport, Camarines Sur; Virac Airport, Catanduanes; Masbate Airport, Masbate; Daet Airport, Camarines Norte; Bulan Airport, Sorsogon; Bacon Airport, Sorsogon.

Caap said the airport operations will remain under suspension until 8 p.m. on Sunday. But they may remain suspended depending on “prevailing weather conditions and on-site safety assessments.”

Nationwide, Caap recorded 389 canceled flights until Nov. 10 due to the anticipated and preexisting impacts of Supertyphoon Uwan.

Life-threatening

Because of Uwan, most of the Bicol Region has been experiencing strong typhoon-force winds of over 185 kilometers per hour (kph), with possible life-threatening effects, according to the state weather bureau.

State meteorologists said Uwan was packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and gusts of up to 230 kph when it was last spotted over the coastal waters of Pandan, Catanduanes.

Amid the onslaught of Supertyphoon Uwan, 6,607 individuals, including passengers, crew, and cargo staff, are stranded across 86 ports nationwide on Monday morning, the PCG reported.

From 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. on Monday, the PCG also recorded a total of 3,161 rolling cargos, 83 vessels, and 22 motorbancas stranded, while 408 vessels and 304 motorbancas are taking shelter. INQ