More than a thousand passengers are stranded in ports of the city and province of Iloilo on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, due to the effects of Tyhoon Ursula.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG-6) recorded a total of 1,406 stranded passengers as of 12 noon, today. 

Broken down:
Estancia Feeder Port – 24
Dumangas Port – 1,236
Fast Craft/ PPA Pier – 85
Lauz Wharf. 62

Also stranded are 256 rolling cargoes, 4 vessels, and 1 motor banca.

The PCG-6 cancelled fast craft trips from Iloilo City to Bacolod City and vice versa. It also temporarily stopped Roll-on Roll-off (RO-RO) operations between Dumangas to Bacolod City.

Motor banca trips from Iloilo City to Guimaras and vice versa were also suspended.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Signal No. 2 over northeastern part of Iloilo (Carles, Balasan, Estancia, Batad, San Dionisio, Sara, Concepcion, Lemery, Ajuy), northern part of Antique (Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi, Tibiao), northern part of Negros Occidental (Enrique B Magalona, Victorias, Manapla, Cadiz, Sagay, Escalante, Toboso), Capiz, and Aklan.

Signal No 1 was hoisted over rest of Iloilo, rest of Antique, Guimaras, and rest of Negros Occidental.

Ursula made landfall in Salcedo, Eastern Samar at. 4:45 p.m. today.

The typhoon, based on PAGASA’s bulletin issued 5 p.m., is moving west at 25 kilometers per hour (km/h) from the previous 20 km/h.

It packs maximum winds of 120 km/h and gustiness of up to 150 km/h.IMT

Photo of Dumangas Port by Steve Michael Carnaje Docdocil