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Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Auring’ loses steam, strands people in ports

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Tropical depression Auring, which weakened into a low-pressure area on Monday morning before crossing the Rapu-Rapu Islands in Albay left more than 4,500 people stranded in various ports across the country, the Philippine Coast Guard said Monday.

But the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the total number of people evacuated due to Auring had reached 59,170,

Interviewed on GTV’s Balitangahli, NDRRMC spokesperson Mark Timbal said the evacuees were from the Caraga, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao Regions.

Data from PCG showed that 4,565 passengers, drivers and cargo helpers were stranded as of 4 a.m. More than half of those stranded are in Eastern Visayas where five ports are.

The operations of 1,879 rolling cargoes, 78 vessels and nine motorbancas were also suspended due to the weather condition.

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PCG spokesperson Armando Balilo said “It’s quite a problem for roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) vessels because they have to transport their shipment. If I’m not mistaken, vegetables have been stranded for three days and they have to be immediately shipped to Manila.”

Travel to and from Boracay Island, and Manila ports is also not allowed.

Rescue operations were also continuing as some of the areas not prone to hazards had unexpectedly experienced flooding.

Auring was forecast to move northwestward to westward and may traverse Bicol Region, southern Quezon, Marinduque, and northern Mindoro in the next 24 hours.

“There is an increasing likelihood of the disturbance dissipating while traversing Southern Luzon,” the weather bureau said. 

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