TACLOBAN City - Over 500 passengers in three ports in Allen, Northern Samar going to Luzon are stranded following the suspension of sea travel by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) due to tropical storm Ulysses (international name 'Vamco') Wednesday, November 11.
Aside from the passengers, at least 133 trucks, 58 light vehicles, and 10 sea vessels were also stranded.
The PCG implemented a "no sail policy" Wednesday, November 10, after tropical cyclone wind signal # 1 was hoisted over Northern Samar province.
In Caibiran, Biliran, Mayor Rhodessa Delante-Revita suspended work in the Department of Education (DepEd). However, work in government offices continued.
She said Makalpi Road has been rendered impassable due to torrential rains, and advised residents living in landslide-prone areas to evacuate.
Light to moderate with occasional heavy rains is affecting Eastern Samar, northern portion of Samar, Biliran, Southern Leyte, and the rest of Leyte which may continue within the next two to three hours.
Also placed under signal no. 1 were the northern portion of Samar (Santo Nino, Almagro, Tagapul-An, Tarangnan, Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, Gandara, Pagsanghan, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Matuguinao), and the northern portion of Eastern Samar (Maslog, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche, Jipapad) in Eastern Visayas.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), "Ulysses" is expected to further intensify and become a typhoon.
It will move generally westward, and pass over the seas north of Catanduanes on Wednesday morning or afternoon, and north of Camarines provinces in the afternoon or evening. Due to the orientation of the track forecast, these provinces may fall within the inner rainbands or eyewall region of the storm during the passage.