One was killed and three were rescued when their pumpboat capsized in the waters of Binalbagan, Negros Occidental, while hundreds of ferryboat passengers in Western Visayas were stranded when late afternoon trips were cancelled yesterday.
A Provincial Disaster Management Team report said four persons were breaking-in a brand new pumpboat about 200 meters from the Binalbagan shoreline when strong waves caused it to capsize at about 2 p.m. yesterday.
Calaw Encero, 52, a mechanic, drowned, while his three companions identified as Roger Dayucos, 37, Rene Boy Hadan, 30, and James Nombre, 26, of Sitio Catingit, Barangay Suay, Himamaylan, were rescued by other fishermen, Melvin Fierro Sr. of the PDMT said.
Meanwhile, the last trips of the ferryboats to Bacolod and back to Iloilo were cancelled late yesterday afternoon because of strong waves, Chief Petty officer Florencio Tecson of the Philippine Coast Guard in Bacolod said yesterday.
Cancelled were the last trips of Weesam Express and Ocean Jet, while the Sea Jet stopped sailing at 2 p.m. , he said.
Residents in coastal areas are also advised to be alert for big waves generated by this tropical cyclone, PAGASA warned yesterday.
Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes were also warned against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Air travel to Negros remained normal yesterday.
A low pressure area over the Pacific Ocean was estimated east of Visayas.
Bacolod and Negros Occidental disaster teams remained on alert yesterday.
In the Visayas, Public Storm Signal No. 1 remained over Aklan, Capiz and Northern Samar as of 11 p.m. yesterday.
Tropical Storm "Mina" was estimated based on land radar, satellite and surface data at 140 kms Northeast of Basco, Batanes with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph yesterday It was forecast to move east northeast slowly, PAGASA said.
Meanwhile, Tropical Depression "Lando" was estimated off the coast of Occidental Mindoro with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center yesterday, PAGASA added.
Negros Occidental is in the middle of three weather systems – Lando, Mina and Nonoy – that is causing foul weather with rains expected to last until the weekend, Jose Marie Vargas, executive assistant to Bacolod Mayor Evelio Leonardia, said.*CPG
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