Stranded passengers due to Urduja now over 16,000

MANILA, Philippines – The number of stranded passengers due to tropical depression Urduja (Kai-tak) rose to 16,449 as of Sunday morning, December 17. 

The Philippine Coast Guard said passengers in the following regions were affected: National Capital Region, eastern and southern Visayas, Bicol, and Southern Tagalog. 

At least 118 vessels, 1,711 rolling cargoes, and 37 motor bancas were also stranded, according to the coast guard. 

UPDATE as of 8AM today, 17 December. Stranded due to #TDUrduja in the affected areas of NCR, Eastern & Southern Visayas, Bicol and Southern Tagalog; Passengers–16,449 Vessels– 118, Rolling Cargoes-1,711 and motor bancas-37. pic.twitter.com/Gn4u8Pqd0b

— PhilippineCoastGuard (@PhilCoastGuard1) December 17, 2017

Urduja has left at least 3 people dead and 6 others missing, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). It had made landfall in San Policarpo, Eastern Samar early Saturday afternoon, December 16.

Urduja weakened late Sunday morning.  It was at the vicinity of Mobo, Masbate, moving west southwest at 15 kilometers per hour (km/h) as of 11 am. (READ: EXPLAINER: How tropical cyclones form) – Rappler.com