CV to expect heavy rains until this week

CEBU, Philippines —  Although Tropical Storm Ferdie made an immediate exit from the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last Saturday, it enhanced the southwest monsoon causing the strong rains not only in Cebu but in the whole Visayas region that is expected to last until Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024.

Engr. Al Quiblat, chief of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in the Visayas, said that based on their monitoring, the inclement weather experienced in Cebu will remain until Wednesday with light to moderate rains and occasional heavy rains.

“Si Ferdie nga may international name nga Bebinca dali raman to siya. Nisod ra to atong gabie (September 13) unya pagkabuntag (September 14) niggawas sa Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) so layo na to siya pero nakahatak gihapon ognakahigop sa habagat mao ni atong na experience karon,” Quiblat said in an interview with The Freeman over the phone yesterday.

Meanwhile, according to PAGASA’s gale warning in Central Visayas as of 5 p.m yesterday, wind force was at 55-63 kph with rough to very rough sea conditions.

“Naay balod ang kadagatan, so delikado kaayo sa gagmay’ng sakyanang pangdagat,” Quiblat warned, as wave heights are estimated at 3.7-4.5 meters based on the 5 p.m warning yesterday.

In fact, more sea trips yesterday were cancelled due to strong waves.

Cancelled trips included those from Poro Port in Camotes Island to Liloan Pier 88 through Shuttle Ferry for 2pm and 5:30 pm travel; Cebu to Ormoc via Oceanjet and Supercat; Toledo to San Carlos, Negros Island; Cebu to Getafe, Bohol; Cebu to Tagbilaran; Punta Engaño to Santa Rosa Port, and Hagutapay Port to Pilar, Ormoc.

LCT Lite Ferry 28 also cancelled trips from Taloot Port in Argao to Loon, Bohol until further notice.

Maryknoll Bolasa, Cebu Port Authority (CPA) public relations officer, said that there are only minimal stranded passengers from these cancelled trips.

“Minimal ra kaayo ang passengers sa mga cancelled trips, likely mga nag early booking to sila (prior sa pag announce sa cancel). Ang details sa cancelled trips are displayed sa overhead monitor sa terminals real time so mga pasahero dili gyud makasulod and many opted to reschedule or rebook to other port of destination,” Borlasa told The Freeman last night.

The Coast Guard Sub-Station in Olango Island reported that four fast crafts and over a hundred tourists and island-hopping boats in the port of Sta. Rosa, Olango Island were also grounded yesterday.

According to the Lapu-Lapu City Information Office, that although the sub-station in Olango is currently monitoring the gale warning issued by PAGASA Visayas, which has been lifted, they will continue to assess the sea conditions and travel will remain suspended until the seas have calmed and the weather has cleared.

Passengers were advised to return home after an announcement was made that all trips have been cancelled since this morning.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan visited the stranded passengers at Angasil Port in Mactan, who were bound for Sta. Rosa Port, to personally assess their condition. The mayor was accompanied by the DRRM team and the Coast Guard.

In Oslob, Coast Guard Station Southern Cebu gave free meals to stranded passengers who were moved from the port to an evacuation center in Brgy. Mainit.

Further, Quiblat said that no Low Pressure Area (LPA) has entered PAR, however, the state bureau is anticipating that one might develop by next week.

PAGASA has monitored cloud clusters outside PAR yet are very close, which could also intensify the southwest monsoon experienced in the island.

“So ang iyang entrance atong matan-aw ari sa Luzon area, so naa ning Low-Pressure Area sa Eastern Luzon or Northern Luzon nga mupakusog sa habagat na makaapekto sa Visayas,” said Quiblat. (CEBU NEWS)