11 sea mishaps in 3 days

MANILA, Philippines –  The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has recorded 11 maritime incidents in just three days due to the prolonged severe weather system sweeping across the country.

The bad weather prevailing over parts of Mindanao, the whole of the Visayas and Southern Luzon for almost three weeks now have also claimed the lives of 68 people. Twenty-six others are missing, the NDRRMC said.

It reported that the prolonged severe weather system, which has brought heavy rains and caused floods and landslides, has also taken a toll on agriculture and infrastructure, estimated at P1.8 billion.

NDRRMC executive director Benito Ramos said from Jan. 15 to 18 alone, sea mishaps involving boats and barges occurred due to big waves and strong winds, particularly in the Visayas and the Bicol region.

Of the 11 reported incidents, 277 people, mostly fishermen, were involved. Two died, while 15 others remained missing, Ramos said.

As of yesterday, the Coast Guard and the Navy had rescued 260 people, including boat passengers and crew, he said.

The NDRRMC reported that the death toll in weeks of flooding, landslides and sea mishaps has reached 68.

Ramos said search and rescue operations for the missing sailboat “The Pineapple,” with five Americans on board, continue.

The 38-foot, twin-hulled white sailboat left the Marianas Yacht Club in Guam for Cebu last Jan. 6 but failed to arrive as expected on Jan. 16.

Iloilo’s Dinagyang rainy

Light to moderate rains are expected to mark the celebration of the Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo today.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) advised those who would attend the festival to bring umbrellas.

“We are expecting light to moderate rains in Iloilo. There are expected light rains in the morning and more rains in the afternoon,” weather forecaster Sonny Pajarilla said.

The Dinagyang Festival is regarded as one of the best tourism events in the country, with local and foreign tourists traveling to the province to take part in the merriment.

Previous Dinagyang festivals enjoyed good weather, but the presence of La Niña has enhanced the easterly winds, bringing rains.

In its 5 p.m. weather forecast, PAGASA said the northeast monsoon would prevail over Northern and Central Luzon and the diffused tailend of a cold front would continue affecting Southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

Enhanced easterly winds would also affect Eastern Mindanao, Pagasa said.

The weather bureau said Southern Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao would experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, particularly on the eastern section.

The eastern section of Northern and Central Luzon would be mostly cloudy with light rains, PAGASA said.

The rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated rainshowers, while moderate to strong winds blowing from the northeast would prevail over Luzon.

PAGASA said coastal waters along these areas would be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds would be light to moderate coming from east to northeast with slight to moderate seas. - With Evelyn Macairan