Shipping operations suspended in typhoon-hit areas
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) has suspended its shipping operations in the areas due to public storm signals brought by Typhoon Santi (International name: Nari).
PCG spokesman Cmdr. Armand Balilo said that since Thursday night, the Coast Guard has issued an order prohibiting any vessel in the provinces affected by the typhoon from going out to sea, Radyo Inquirer 990 AM reported.
The suspension of sea voyages in the places under storm signals, which were mostly in Northern Luzon and the Visayas, was in compliance with the guidelines being implemented by the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC), Balilo said.
The Coast Guard also called for the cooperation of the public to avoid sea mishaps amid typhoons.
The following areas were placed under storm signals by the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) early Friday.
*Signal No. 3: Aurora
Article continues after this advertisement*Signal No. 2: Isabela, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Quirino, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Tarlac, Zambales, Northern Quezon, Polilio Island, Pampanga, Bulacan
Article continues after this advertisement*Signal No. 1: Southern Cagayan, Kalinga, Abra, Mt. Province, Ilocos Sur, Bataan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Lubang Islands, Quezon, Marinduque, Camarines provinces, Albay, Catanduanes
Meanwhile, flights have been cancelled due to heavy rains spawned by Santi, according to the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). Below are the cancelled flights announced by the DOTC in separate posts on its Twitter:
DG 7015 Cebu to Manila
2P-014 Manila to Tuguegarao
2P-015 Tuguegarao to Manila
5J-521 Manila to Naga
5J-522 Naga to Manila
5J-523 Manila to Naga
5J-524 Naga to Manila
5J-821 Manila to Virac
5J-822 Virac to Manila
As of 7 a.m., Santi was last observed 340 kilometers east of Baler, Aurora, bringing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 150 kph.
It was forecast to move west at 15 kph.
Originally posted at 11:26 p.m.
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