1,615 people stranded in Bicol due to ‘Domeng’

The Philippine Coast Guard on Sunday said at least 1,615 people were stranded in Bicol due to rains and strong winds brought by tropical depression Domeng. Most of the stranded passengers were in Matnog, Pilar and Tabaco in Albay Province. The Coast Guard canceled trips of seagoing vessels, including roll-on-roll-off ships and passenger craft during typhoons. On Saturday, Storm Signal No. 1 was raised over several Bicol and Eastern Visayas provinces as “Domeng" maintained it strength, packing 55 kph winds near the center, as it moved 150 kilometers east-southeast of Guiuan, Eastern Samar. Signal No. 1 — an alert against possible flashfloods and landslides — affects the following areas: Masbate, Sorsogon, Albay, Burias Island, Catanduanes, the Samar provinces, Leyte, Biliran Island, Northern Cebu, and Dinagat Island. “Domeng" was moving west-northwest at 11 kph, and was expected to cross Eastern and Western Samar Saturday night. If it keeps its speed, the storm is expected to be 50 kilometers southwest of Borongan, Eastern Samar, by Sunday afternoon; 90 kilometers southwest of Legaspi City, Albay, by Monday afternoon; and 30 kilometers southwest of Infanta, Quezon by Tuesday afternoon. The weather bureau advises the public and the disaster coordinating councils to take appropriate precautions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 p.m. Saturday. - GMANews.TV