Bad weather suspends sea travel in Zambo

ZAMBOANGA CITY , Philippines   â€“ About a thousand passengers were stranded when the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) prevented ships and fishing boats from sailing due to winds and heavy rains that have been battering this port city for the past three days.

Although Tropical Storm Ramil left the Philippine area of responsibility yesterday as it moved closer to southern Japan, the inter-tropical convergent zone (ITCZ) caused bad weather in this part of the country, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

Lt. Junior Grade Jomark Angue, PCG station commander here, said conditions at sea “remain unfavorable for travel” by any type of vessel and the suspension is “just part of the precautionary measures to avoid untoward accidents at sea.”

Rains have caused floods in several villages in this city and affected more than 3,000 families, according to the local disaster unit.

Roel Patrocinio, 17, was reported missing and feared dead after he was swept away by the river in Barangay Tumaga.

Angue said with the suspension of the sea travel, PCG personnel focused on rescue operations in flooded areas.

PAGASA said the ITCZ would bring light to moderate rains and thunderstorms over Palawan, central Visayas and Mindanao in the next few days. Good weather will prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of the country, aside from isolated rains and thunderstorms.

Floods, landslides in Negros towns

Four days of continuous rains have displaced about 50,000 residents in eight towns and four cities in southern Negros Occidental, and  caused landslides in some areas, government agencies reported yesterday.

The 12 affected towns are the Ilog, Hinobaan, Isabela, Hinigaran, San Enrique, Candoni, Moises Padilla, and Cauayan; and the cities of Kabankalan, Sipalay, Himamaylan, and La Carlota.

Reports from the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) said as of 12 noon yesterday, 11 barangays were affected in Ilog, nine in Hinobaan, two in Isabela, six in Hinigaran, four in San Enrique, five each in in Kabankalan and Sipalay cities and three each in Himamaylan and La Carlota cities.

Landslides were reported in Talos, Spur 13 and Kudyawan, all in the town of Don Salvador Benedicto; La Castellana, and on highways leading to Hinobaan. – With Danny Dangcalan