More areas under Signal No. 1 due to TD ‘Usman’; 3,251 passengers stranded in Bicol due to ‘Usman’

More areas under Signal No. 1 due to TD ‘Usman’
Daphne Galvez -December 27, 2018

MANILA, Philippines — The weather bureau placed more areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression “Usman” inched closer to the country.

In its 11 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) added Romblon, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, and Albay and Burias island in Masbate in areas under Signal No. 1 in Luzon.

Meanwhile, in the Visayas, those included were Aklan, Northern Iloilo and Northern Negros Occidental.

Pagasa said the same storm signals might also be raised over Camarines Norte, southern Quezon, Marinduque, southern Oriental Mindoro, Antique, and the rest of Iloilo and Guimaras later on Thursday.

The weather bureau initially placed 11 areas under Signal No. 1, making a total of 18 areas under the storm signal.

3,251 passengers stranded in Bicol due to ‘Usman’
Rey Anthony Ostria - December 27, 2018 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1066850/3251-passengers-stranded-in-bicol-...

LEGAZPI CITY—As Tropical Depression “Usman” threatens to dump rain and to intensify before making landfall in Eastern Samar, 3,251 passengers have been stranded in the five ports in the Bicol region.

The number is expected to rise as Coast Guard Bicol still awaits figures from other ports.

Tropical cyclone warning signal number 1 has been raised over Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, and Masbate, including Ticao and Burias islands in the region at 10 a.m. Thursday.

According to a report from the Coast Guard, 2,357 passengers have been stranded in Matnog port (Sorsogon), 391 in Pio Duran port (Albay), 260 in Pilar port (Sorsogon), 124 in Pasacao port (Camarines Sur), and 115 in Bulan (Sorsogon).

Meanwhile, 92 rolling cargoes have been prevented from sailing throughout the region.

Usman, the 21st typhoon to enter the Philippine area of responsibility, was last seen at 440 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuan in Eastern Samar, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in a press conference.

Fisherfolks were also advised not to venture out of sea due to the weather disturbance. /ee