More than 2,100 passengers remain stranded in Bicol ports on Thursday, September 25, as Severe Tropical Storm #OpongPH barrels closer to the country.

The Philippine Coast Guard District Bicol (CGDBCL) reported that as of 11:00 a.m., at least 2,146 passengers, 868 rolling cargoes, and four vessels were stuck at various ports in Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, and Catanduanes after 30 trips were suspended due to dangerous sea conditions.

Another 47 vessels have taken shelter, while coast guard personnel in 13 ports, including Tabaco, Pasacao, Virac, Masbate City, Matnog, and Bulan, remain on standby for rescue and emergency operations. 

The command center assured that first aid, rescue, and communication equipment are fully operational as the storm threatens to intensify.

According to PAGASA, Opong was last spotted 335 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar, with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h and gusts of up to 135 km/h, moving west-northwest at 25 km/h.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted over Bicol provinces including Albay, Sorsogon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and northern Masbate, where gale-force winds and torrential rains are expected.

The weather bureau warned of waves up to 11 meters in waters off Catanduanes, Albay, Sorsogon, and Northern Samar, making sea travel extremely hazardous. A storm surge of up to 3 meters is also possible in low-lying coastal areas of Bicol and Samar.

PAGASA said Opong may either skirt Northern Samar or make landfall in the Bicol region by Friday morning or early afternoon before crossing Southern Luzon and exiting into the West Philippine Sea on Saturday. It may briefly strengthen into a typhoon before weakening over land.