"Gener" disrupts water, power, shipping in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - Water, power and shipping services in some parts of Cebu were disrupted as typhoon Gener’s strong winds gained strength yesterday.

 Coast Guard Cebu station commander Rolando Punzalan said that 34 vessels were not allowed to travel as of 6:00 last night due to rough seas.

 Punzalan said that more than 300 passengers were expected to go onboard but failed to do so due to the bad weather condition.

 The Metropolitan Cebu Water District likewise issued an advisory that strong winds broke branches and felled some trees causing some power lines to trip off yesterday affecting its wells in some areas in Metro Cebu.

 Low pressure to no water was experienced in Liloan, Consolacion and some parts of Mandaue City and Lapulapu City due to the non-operation of MCWD’s four wells in San Vicente, Liloan, because of the low voltage.

 The lack of power supply also resulted in the non-operation of seven MCWD wells in Talamban, affecting barangays Talamban and Banilad and some area in the Cebu City up to barangay Guadalupe.

 “MCWD apologizes for the inconvenience experienced by our consumers in the affected areas,” said Charmaine Rodriguez, MCWD Public Affairs department manager, in a press statement.

 Rodriguez added that MCWD is closely coordinating with the Visa-yan Electric Company to get updates on its efforts to immediately restore the water supply and to repair the damaged lines.

 VECO spokesperson Ethel Natera said that because of the strong winds, there are some areas that sustained minor power interruptions but these were immediately restored in just a matter of minutes.

Kelly Torregosa, weather observer of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration-Central Visayas said the winds brought by typhoon Gener in the Northeasthern part of Luzon, triggered the Southwest monsoon or “haba-gat”.

 Torregosa said that although Cebu did not experience heavy rains unlike in some parts of Luzon, those residents living near the seas should be vigilant.

 “Kay delikado man sila sa mga dagkong bawod. Magbinantayon gyud sila. (They should be alert for huge waves),” said Torregosa.

 PAGASA’s 24-hour Public Weather Forecast which was issued at 5:00 pm last night and valid until 5:00pm today stated that the eye of Typhoon Gener was located at 250 kms East of Basco, Batanes with a maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

 Typhoon Gener is expected at 210 kms Northeast of Basco, Batanes this afternoon.

 On Wednesday, at 350 km North of Basco, Batanes. On Thursday afternoon at 600 km North Northwest of Basco Batanes outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.  (FREEMAN)