As Karen pounds Luzon; Fishermen, small vessels told: Don’t go out to sea

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard in Cebu has advised small sea crafts against venturing out to sea even if no gale warning was raised here as typhoon Karen pounding northern Luzon.

Engr. Alfredo Quiblat, officer in charge of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration   in Cebu, said Karen may still have an “indirect” effect on Cebu.

Quiblat said the intensified tropical cyclone may cause enhancing wind velocity over neighboring regions like Visayas. It may also bring light to moderate rains in the afternoon or the evening while thunderstorms are also expected to develop.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, PAGASA reported that typhoon Karen has accelerated as it headed towards northern Luzon. It is expected to make landfall in the provinces of Quezon and Aurora today early morning and expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility Monday morning.

Several localities in the northern part of the country were placed under tropical cyclone signal warnings as it carries maximum sustained wind of 130 kilometer per hour that may uproot huge trees or cause storm surges.

Commodore Agapito Bibat, the chief of Coast Guard Station Cebu, confirmed that the station has not received any gale warning from PAGASA, as of yesterday afternoon.

The station commander said large passenger or cargo vessels were allowed to sail to other provinces in the Visayas region but necessary inspections were made before their departure.

However, small sea crafts or boats were hampered from venturing the rough seas since the maritime unit has observed huge waves yesterday.

Bibat pointed out that they would not want to compromise on the safety of fishermen and the crew since it would be dangerous for them to sail when strong winds are hushing the waters. (FREEMAN)