Fishermen warned against sailing as typhoon nears

MANILA, Philippines—The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council warned fishermen against sailing into the rough seas off northeastern Luzon as a typhoon threatens to enter the Philippine territory.

“Di natin alam kung mag-iiba ang direksyon ng bagyo pero iwasan muna natin ang maglayag sa extreme northeastern portion ng Luzon (We do not know if the typhoon will change its direction but we have to avoid sailing into the northeastern portion of Luzon),” NDRRMC executive director Eduardo del Rosario told reporters.

He said, however, that there was no cause for alarm as Soulik, which would be called Huaning once it enters the Philippines, would not make landfall even as it would enhance the southwest monsoon.

It could cause floods, Del Rosario said.

He said the regional disaster management councils were ordered to undertake precautionary measures, including pre-emptive evacuation of families in low-lying and mountainous areas.

The state weather bureau said Soulik would bring rains in the western section of the country by Thursday afternoon and was likely to stay until Saturday.