TROPICAL depression Zoraida is expected to make landfall in Surigao del Sur today, the state weather bureau said.
Around 1,500 passengers were stranded in Cebu City ports after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) grounded vessels travelling to areas under storm warning signal 1.
PCG Cebu Station acting commander LtJG Janus Sabas said the stranded passengers were bound for Bohol, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Cagayan de Oro and other parts of northern Mindanao.
Zoraida maintained its strength of 55 kilometers per hour near the center, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
“Hopefully it will stay that way or weaken after landfall,” Ruthie Manzanilla of Pagasa said.
She said Zoraida is weaker than Yolanda, the monster typhoon that smashed central Philippines Friday.
The tropical depression was moving west northwest at 30 kph.
Storm Signal No. 1 was raised in the following areas:
Southern Cebu, Siquijor, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Southern Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Dinagat Island, Siargao Island, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, Samal Island, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin Island.
Moderate to heavy rains will be experienced within the 300-kilometer diameter of Zoraida.
Sea travel is risky over the Northern seaboard of Northern Luzon and the Eastern seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon./Inquirer with Jhunnes Napallacan