2,000 stranded in Visayas, Mindanao ports due to storm

Storm clouds brought by tropical depression ‘Agaton’ can be seen over the Visayas in this satellite photo released by the Pagasa on Tuesday morning, Jan. 2, 2017. PAGASA PHOTO

More than 2,000 people were barred from traveling by sea as Tropical Depression “Agaton” prevailed over much of the country.

As of 4 a.m. of Tuesday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that 2,308 passengers were stranded in ports in the Visayas and Mindanao due to bad weather.

The ports located in Northern Mindanao and southeastern Mindanao had 1,910 affected passengers while ports in Central and Eastern Visayas had 398, the PCG reported.

The Nasipit port in Butuan in Northen Mindanao had the highest number with 781 affected sea travelers. Mae Wess port in Davao and the Macabalan port in Cagayan de Oro followed with 370 and 310 affected passengers, respectively.

Meanwhile, 34 sea vessels and 66 rolling cargoes were also stranded because of rough seas.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, earlier warned sea travelers of risky travel over the eastern and western seaboards of the Visayas.

The weather bureau has raised cyclone warning signal number 1 in 14 provinces due to Agaton.