Nearly 200 people have been reported stranded in eastern Philippine ports on Saturday as tropical storm Hagupit grew stronger on its way towards the archipelago.
The passengers and more than a dozen trucks, cars and buses were stranded in Albay province and neighboring Catanduanes province as sea transport to and from Catanduanes was halted amid public storm warning, local TV news network GMA News reported.
The storm was spotted about 610 kilometers east of Virac city of Catanduanes province at 10 a.m. Saturday morning, according to the Philippine weather forecast authority.
It was moving west-northwest at about 13 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of about 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
Hagupit was expected to be 350 kilometers east of Virac by Sunday morning.
The Philippine archipelago is a frequent victim of summer typhoons. There are around 20 storms expected to hit the country in the year. A huge passenger ship capsized earlier this year at the height of typhoon Fengshen. Less than 70 of the 862 people on board were saved.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article