Over 8,600 stranded in ports due to ‘Wilma’
Over 8,600 passengers were stranded in different ports across the country on Saturday due to Tropical Depression “Wilma,” according to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
In its maritime advisory issued on Saturday, the PCG said that 8,622 passengers were stranded from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. in 87 ports in Southern Tagalog, northeastern Mindanao, Northern Mindanao, southern Visayas, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and Western Visayas.
Aside from this, the PCG added that 126 vessels, 38 motorbancas and 2,628 were affected by the weather disturbance. Meanwhile, 161 vessels and 101 motorbancas were taking shelter.
According to the 11 a.m. weather bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Wilma maintained its strength as it moved closer to Eastern Samar and Northern Samar.
Slow moving
It was last spotted over the coastal waters of Sulat in Eastern Samar as of 10 a.m. It was still carrying a maximum wind speed of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 55 kph. It also continued to move slowly in a westward direction.
Pagasa also said that the center of Wilma is forecast to make landfall over Eastern Samar or Northern Samar on Saturday.
Nineteen areas in Luzon and Visayas have remained under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as Tropical Depression Wilma maintained its strength over the coastal waters of Eastern Samar, according to the state weather bureau.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin on Saturday, Pagasa reported that Wilma is still carrying a maximum sustained wind speed of 45 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
The tropical depression is almost stationary over the coastal waters of Can-avid town.
TCWS No. 1 remained over the following areas in Luzon: Sorsogon, Masbate, including Ticao and Burias Islands, Romblon.
Likely affected
The southern portion of Oriental Mindoro (Bulalacao, Mansalay, Roxas, Bongabong, Bansud).
The southern portion of Occidental Mindoro (Magsaysay, San Jose, Rizal, Calintaan, Sablayan).
The northernmost portion of Palawan (Araceli, Dumaran, El Nido, Taytay, Roxas, San Vicente), including Cuyo, Calamian and Cagayancillo Islands.
The northern and central portions of Cebu (Daanbantayan, Medellin, City of Bogo, San Remigio, Tabogon, Borbon, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Sogod, Catmon, Asturias, Carmen, Danao City, Balamban, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Mandaue City, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Pinamungahan, City of Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova), including Bantayan Islands and Camotes Islands.
Wilma will likely remain as a tropical depression throughout its passage over Visayas and Palawan. But due to dry intrusion from the northeast monsoon, or “amihan,” there is an increasing likelihood of weakening into a remnant low while traversing the area of Visayas.
