Trips cancelled in affected areas: Urduja makes landfall today

CEBU, Philippines — Passengers were stranded and trips were cancelled yesterday as Signal No. 2 was raised in Eastern Visayas with the entry of typhoon Urduja.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted in the northernmost part of Cebu.

At least 9,028 people were stranded yesterday with at least 3,338 stranded in the Port of Matnog in Sorsogon; 2,756 in North Harbor in Manila; 1,261 in the Port of Jubasan in Northern Samar; 285 in the Port of Looc in Occidental Mindoro; 297 in the Port of Pio Duran in Albay; and 170 in the Port of Liloan in Cebu.

Among the trips canceled were Cebu-Ozamis and Iligan (2GO), Cebu-Ormoc (Oceanjet and Supercat), Cebu-Maasin (Weesam Express), Cebu-Manila (2GO), and Cebu-Camotes (Oceanjet).

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Urduja is expected to make landfall today 115 km East Northeast of Borongan City.

By Sunday, it is expected to make landfall in the vicinity of Calbayog City, Samar and, by Monday, 95 km West of Roxas City. By Tuesday, December 19, it is seen to make landfall 110 km North of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

The following provinces will also be affected: Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Romblon, and Masbate including Burias and Ticao Islands, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Capiz, Aklan, and Northern Iloilo as well as Dinagat Islands.

“Scattered to widespread rains will continue over Eastern Visayas and Caraga and is expected to prevail over Bicol Region and the rest of Visayas within 24 hours,” reads PAGASA’s 5 p.m. bulletin yesterday.

In the same bulletin, PAGASA said Urduja remains quasi- stationary, which means that the storm is moving at a speed less than five knots or 0.26 meter per second that continues to put the whole Region 8 in serious danger as Signal No. 2 can bring a wind speed of 61-120 kilometers per hour within 24 hours.

Residents are advised to take drastic measures against flooding and landslides and coordinate with their respective local government and disaster risk reduction and management offices as the estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy.

As of 4 p.m. yesterday, the center of Urduja was estimated at 240 kilometers east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar forecasted to move northwest at five kilometers per hour.

Cebu situation

In Cebu province, the Police Regional Office (PRO) - 7 has deployed personnel to ports and terminals to monitor situations and assist passengers in coordination with the Philippine Coastguard.

They will also assist in force evacuations.

"Ato nang gi-alerto ang kapolisan especially sa norte tungod kay basig dunay mamahimong biktima sa tropical storm. Atong gipataasan ang atong pag-monitor ilabi na sa kadagatan ilabi na ang mga landslide prone areas, baha, and kani sang kadalanan kay danlog, basin og naay mahitabo," said PRO-7 spokesperson, Police Supt. Reyman Tolentin.

"Atong prime concern kay ang seguridad sa katawhan sa pamilya ug naa sa balay, mga balay nga huyang sa hangin mga materials nga di kaayo lig-on ato ipaalerto nga naay securitiy measures," Tolentin added.

In Sogod town in the northernmost part of Cebu, at least five families that lived near the river were evacuated yesterday.

In Tabogon, the local disaster team responded immediately to a landslide that affected a road in Sitio Camilyang in Barangay Labangon that serves as an access road to Bogo City.

Slight rains were experienced in the southern part of Cebu province but Talisay City, for one, isn’t taking any chances.

The city’s disaster team has asked the help of QM Builders, the contractor of an ongoing road widening project there, for eight units of heavy equipment, including a back hoe excavator, that are on standby in Barangays Jaclupan and Manipis, in the event of a disaster.

Barangays Manipis, Tapul, Campo 4, Lagtang, and Maghaway, are landslide prone areas.

The Quick Response Team in Cebu City has also monitored weather conditions since Thursday, said Nagiel Bañacia, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office.

Same goes with the disaster teams in neighboring Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City. —with Odessa O. Leyson and Christell Fatima M. Tudtud