Ada’s northwestward track leaves over 5,000 stranded
MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Ada’s (international name: Nokaen) continuous northwestward track near Bicol Region has left over 5,000 passengers stranded on Friday, while also raising fears of exacerbating the situation in Mayon Volcano.
State meteorologists’ 11 a.m. update stated that Ada was last spotted 325 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center with gustiness of up to 80 kph.
Ada is seen to move generally northwestward on Friday until Saturday before turning slowly north northwestward to northeastward by Sunday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
Starting Tuesday next week, Ada is then forecast to move southeastward while moving over the sea east of Bicol Region.
“A further westward shift in the forecast track may result in a possible landfall over Eastern Visayas and Bicol Region,” Pagasa further said, while noting that the forecast is still subject to change.
Pagasa said 14 areas remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, which has been the case since Thursday night.
READ: Ada’s landfall still possible next week — Pagasa
The state weather bureau also said up to four meters of waves are seen in the northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes and Northern Samar, the eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, and Eastern Samar, the northern seaboard of Camarines Sur and the seaboard of Camarines Norte due to Ada.
Because of this, the Philippine Coast Guard said that as of 8 a.m., a total of 5,376 passengers, 2,191 rolling cargoes and 21 vessels were stranded, while 11 vessels were taking shelter due to Ada.
The Office of Civil Defense has also activated preparedness measures in anticipation of the tropical cyclone’s impact.
“Given the ongoing unrest of Mayon Volcano in Albay, additional measures are needed, as ‘Ada’ may exacerbate the emergency situation in the province,” the OCD said in a statement on Thursday.
READ: Lahar feared as ‘Ada’ brings rain to Albay
Local government and disaster response officials in Albay have also stepped up precautions against possible lahar flows due to Ada. /das
