Passengers stranded due to ‘Paolo’

At least 127 passengers were stranded in Cebu ports yesterday after the Philippine Coast GuardCebu District did not allow 68 vessels weighing below 250 gross tonnage to set sail.

Trips going to San Carlos City in Negros Occidental, Bohol (Getafe, Tubigon, Tagbilaran), and Leyte (Ormoc City, Hilongos, Isabel and Naval) from various ports of Cebu, including Toledo City, Danao City and Camotes Island, were cancelled starting 12 noon yesterday due to unfavorable sea conditions.

The vessels were disallowed from travelling after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued a gale warning over the Visayas.

PAGASA declared seaboards in Visayas (Samar and Leyte provinces, Biliran, Bohol, Cebu, Negros provinces, Siquijor, Guimaras, Panay Island, including Boracay Island) as rough to very rough with a wavelength of 3.4 meters to 4.5 meters.

This was due to strong to gale force winds associated with the typhoon Paolo (international name Lan).

As of 3 p.m. yesterday, the eye of Paolo was spotted at 840 kilometers east of Basco Batanes, packing winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 145kph.

PAGASA warned against sailing in the eastern seaboard of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Paolo is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Sunday.

This weather system will continue to bring scattered light to moderate with possible occasional heavy rains over Palawan.

The low-pressure area is not expected to develop into a tropical cyclone, PAGASA said.