More than 6,000 stranded in Visayas, Mindanao ports due to 'Agaton'

MANILA, Philippines — More than 6,000 passengers are stranded in Visayas and Mindanao ports on Tuesday due to rains brought by Tropical Depression Agaton.

In the noon update of the Philippine Coast Guard, 6,469 are held from boarding sea vessels in several ports due to the heavy rains brought by "Agaton."

The ports are located in Central, Eastern and Western Visayas, Bicol and Northern Mindanao.

#AgatonPH
UPDATE: Stranded passengers/rolling cargoes/vessels as of 12Noon, 02 January 2017. pic.twitter.com/BMo9TRQqOz

— PhilippineCoastGuard (@PhilCoastGuard1) January 2, 2018

One hundred sixty-five rolling cargoes, 57 vessels and three motor bancas are currently barred from traveling by the PCG due to rough seas.

A total of 2,713 passengers are currently held in Ormoc, Western Leyte while 1,614 are stranded at San Pedro, Iloilo port.

As of 2:00 p.m., PAGASA lifted its storm signal warning over several areas in Visayas. Only Palawan, including Cuyo islands, remains under tropical cyclone signal number 1.

The state weather bureau, however, warned that moderate to heavy rain will persist over Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, Panay Island, Southern Quezon, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque and Palawan.

"Agaton" is expected to make another landfall tonight at Puerto Princesa City.

Following the forecast, "Agaton" is expected to leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday morning.