Typhoon Egay's track. (Image from PAGASA's Facebook page)
LEGAZPI CITY – More than 3,100 passengers are stranded at the eight ports of the Bicol Region due to the rough seas caused by Typhoon Egay, the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) said on Monday.
In a phone interview, Gremil Alexis Naz, OCD-5 spokesperson, said that based on the report of the four stations of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG-5), passengers were stranded at the ports in the provinces of Sorsogon, Masbate, Albay and Catanduanes after the cancellation of sea trips.
"The report was based on the monitoring on the ground. From the Coast Guard Station (CGS) of Albay, Pioduran port -- 553; Tabaco City port -- 410. For CGS of Catanduaes, Virac port -- five. In Mabaste, Aroroy port -- two; Mintac port -- 62; Cawayan port -- two and in Sorsogon, Matnog port --1,817 and in Pilar port -- 253," Naz said.
He noted that passengers in San Andres port in Catanduanes province went back to their respective towns after their sea trip was canceled, the reason they were not reported as stranded.
There were also stranded rolling cargoes, mostly at the Matnog Port with 360; Pilar Port -- five; Pioduran, Albay -- 275; and Tabaco, Albay -- 14.
"There are also two ships stranded in Aroroy port in Masbate and ships temporarily took shelter -- one in Virac, one in San Andres in Catanduanes," Naz added.
A sea travel advisory issued by PCG-5 said all trips of vessels in and out of the provinces of Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, and Albay were suspended.
In its morning bulletin on Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Catanduanes was placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 as Typhoon Egay intensified, packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.
On the other hand, minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are forecast in areas under TCWS No. 1: Sorsogon, the rest of Albay, the rest of Camarines Sur, and the rest of Camarines Norte. (PNA)
