#CaloyPH weakens, thousands stranded

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Coast Guard said 4,501 passengers, 576 rolling cargoes, 61 vessels, and 21 motor bancas are stranded in several ports in Mindanao and the Visayas due to the effects of tropical depression Caloy.

As of late Saturday, March 22, Caloy has weakened into a low pressure area after making landfall in Surigao del Sur.

State weather bureau PAGASA said the center of the low pressure area was located in the vicinity of Surigao City as of 4 pm. 

All public storm warning signals have been lowered.

Based on figures from the coast guard, the breakdown of stranded passengers is as follows:

Mindanao

Cagayan de Oro – 147
Surigao – 541
Ozamis – 440
Butuan – 63

Western Visayas

Iloilo – 1,330
Bacolod – 317

Central Visayas

Cebu – 1,152
Tagbilaran – 140
Dumaguete – 251

        Eastern Visayas

        Maasin – 120

In Dinagat Islands, all sea trips to and from Surigao City are still suspended, while forced evacuation is advised in communities identified as vulnerable to flashfloods and landslides.

The Philippine Coast Guard has also declared a “no sail” policy in Surigao del Norte.

The Philippine Information Agency in Caraga reported that 332 passengers and 46 vehicles bound for Leyte are stranded at the Lipata port in Surigao City.

About 167 passengers bound for Dinagat, Siargao, and Cebu are also stranded at the port.

The port police immediately activated a passenger assistance center to cater the needs of the stranded passengers including free meals.

At least 3,387 families were affected in Mindanao and parts of Visayas due to heavy rains and flooding.

Office of Civil Defense Region 11 director Loreto Rirao said majority of the reported 330 families who evacuated in the towns of Asuncion in Davao del Norte and in Nabunturan in Compostela Valley have returned to their homes as the flood water in many areas have already subsided.

“However, we are still monitoring the area as the water in some areas have not yet subsided,” Rirao said.

All local government units and emergency responders in Region 11 are still on standby and are ready to respond to any emergencies.

Surigao del Norte PDRRM officer Gilbert Gonzales said the province is still experiencing heavy rains but there are still no reported flooding incidents.

There are no casualties reported as of posting. – Rappler.com