By Luel Galarpe/PNA
CEBU CITY — The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) is now on red alert status in preparation for Tropical Depression Samuel, an official said Tuesday.
In a press conference, regional director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas said more than 1,000 search-and-rescue personnel are now on standby in case of emergencies as Signal No. 1 has been hoisted all over the region.
Sinas said no casualties have been reported so far but 400 individuals in the different parts of Central Visayas, including 77 people in Cebu province, have already been evacuated for their safety.
The PRO-7 chief said he has also ordered all his provincial and city commanders to coordinate with their local disaster agencies, especially in the monitoring of landslide- and flood-prone areas under their respective jurisdictions.
Meanwhile, more than 200 sea vessels in Central Visayas were not allowed to set sail since late Monday afternoon due to the weather disturbance.
Based on the records of the Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas (PCG-7), the trips of 111 roll on/roll off (RoRo) cargo ships and 62 passenger vessels in the different ports in Cebu province were cancelled because of the approaching storm. A total of 31 vessels have already taken shelter, the PCG-7 report said.
More than 1,200 passengers were also stranded in the different ports in Cebu since late afternoon Tuesday.
About 336 passengers were also stranded in the different ports of Bohol province, where nine passenger ships and six RoRo cargo vessels were not allowed to sail. A total of 11 ships in Bohol have reportedly taken shelter.
The PCG-7 also cancelled the trips of 18 motor bancas in Cebu and Bohol.
“Samuel” is expected to make landfall in Cebu on Wednesday and will bring moderate to heavy rains, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.
Signal No. 1 is hoisted in Central Visayas, including Cebu, Bohol, Siquijor, and Negros Oriental, as well as in Northern and Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, and some parts of Luzon and Mindanao.
