THE number of stranded passengers in different ports due to Tropical Depression “Samuel” has reached a total of 5,656, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said on Tuesday.
As of 10 a.m., 1,538 passengers were stranded in ports of Central Visayas; 1,456 passengers in ports of the Bicol region; 508 passengers in ports of Northern Mindanao; 1,377 passengers in ports of Southern Visayas; 480 passengers in ports of Eastern Visayas; and 297 passengers in Western Visayas.
Aside from passengers, 728 rolling cargoes, 159 vessels and 47 motorbancas were also stranded at various ports nationwide.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Samuel will affect the regions in the country such as Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Eastern Visayas, Central and Western Visayas and Bicol Regions.
Pagasa said the tropical depression was last spotted at 395 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, and has a maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 65 kph.