More than 8,500 Passengers Stranded Due to TD ‘Auring’

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that a total of 8,515 passengers were stranded Sunday as tropical depression “Auring” traverses Visayas and Mindanao.

The PCG said in an advisory that sea travel was suspended in 399 roll-on roll-off (RORO) vessels, 146 sea vessels and 48 motor bancas due to Auring.

At least 1,896 passengers have been stranded in ports in Iloilo and Negros Occidental after sea travel was suspended due to the weather disturbance. Travel to and from Iloilo and Negros Island were cancelled after the Negros provinces, Guimaras Island and southern Iloilo were placed under Storm Signal No. 1.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Services Administration (PAGASA) in its latest weather bulletin stated that as of 5 p.m., Auring has made landfall over Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte.

Signal No. 1 was raised over Cuyo Island, Bohol, Siquijor, Negros provinces, Southern Leyte, Cebu, Guimaras, Southern part of Iloilo and Antique, Agusan del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island, Dinagat Province, Misamis Oriental and Camiguin. (PNA)JBP/ABP