Thousands stranded as air, sea travel suspended in Bicol due to ‘Nina’

LEGAZPI CITY, Albay—Air and sea transportation across Bicol were canceled on Saturday as Typhoon “Nina” (international name: Nock-Ten) threatens to hit the region on Sunday, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Saturday.

Bernardo Rafael Alejandro, OCD regional director and Bicol Regional Risk Reduction and Management (RDRRMC) chair, said there were 2,264 passengers stranded in Matnog and Pilar ports in Sorsogon province and Pasacao in Camarines Sur around noon Saturday. Three hundred and thirty cargo trucks, passenger buses and cars were also stranded.

READ: Typhoon Nina strands more than 2,300 passengers in Bicol ports

He said the Philippine Coast Guard Bicol suspended sea travels in major ports in Bicol after the state weather bureau raised the storm warning signal 1 over Cantanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay and Camarines Sur.

READ: Typhoon Nina stronger but slower; 12 areas under Signal No. 1

The plane flights of the Cebu Pacific Air from Manila to Virac in Catanduanes, Legazpi City in Albay, Cebu and Naga City were likewise canceled due to “Nina.”