Bad weather grounds chopper; today's Sinulog may be rainy

CEBU, Philippines - Bring umbrellas, raincoats, hats and other rain gears if you want to go out today to join the Sinulog revelry.

This as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) forecasted that today’s weather will be cloudy with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.

The weather bureau said a Low Pressure Area estimated at 180 kilometers East of Hinatuan City, Surigao del Sur is expected to bring occasional to frequent rains for the next few days that may possibly trigger flashfloods and landslides particularly in Eastern Visayas and Northern Mindanao.

Particularly, residents along the flood and landslide prone areas are advised to take all the necessary precautionary measures.

Moderate to strong northeasterly winds will prevail throughout the archipelago so fishing boats and other small sea crafts are discouraged from venturing out into the sea while large vessels are alerted against big waves

Meanwhile, due to yesterday’s bad weather, a chopper owned by the broadcast network ABS-CBN, made an emergency landing in Tabuelan town while it was on its way to Cebu from Manila.

A report that reached the Cebu Provincial Police Office said that the aircraft, bearing body numbers RP-02294, had an emergency landing past 11 a.m. due to heavy rain showers, strong winds, and zero visibility in the area.

The chopper was reportedly maneuvered by its pilot, Captain Jonas Liwag accompanied by two crew members, Jericho Mendoza and Rowen Ruedas. They were allegedly halfway towards Cebu City when they were suddenly approached by strong winds and heavy rain showers.

In an interview with The FREEMAN, a reporter of of ABS-CBN-Cebu said the same chopper with the same pilot covered yesterday morning’s fluvial procession.

The reporter said that the said sky patrol was supposed to cover the fluvial parade at 5 a.m. but due to the bad weather, it went up air at between 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. already to cover the activity.

The chopper, carrying additional passengers Vilma Andales, ABS-CBN reporter who covered the activity, and her camera man, Joel Delocora, landed safe after the activity.

The same chopper will most probably cover the Sinulog Grand Parade today. — Niña G. Sumacot and Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)