Typhoon Nika strands over 190 passengers in Southern Tagalog and Bicol ports

At least 196 passengers were stranded in various ports across the Southern Tagalog and Bicol regions on Monday due to the suspension of sea travel because of Typhoon Nika.

In the Southern Tagalog region, 84 individuals are stranded in Real Port, Port of San Andres, Port of Atimonan, Calapan Port, Muelle Port, and Balanacan Port; while in the Bicol region, 112 others are stuck in Pasacao Port and Calaguas Island.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that 18 rolling cargoes, four vessels, and four motorbancas are also stranded, with an additional four vessels and 15 motorbancas taking shelter due to the typhoon.

Sea travel was halted due to strong winds from Nika, which Pagasa said was last spotted over the coastal waters of Dilasag, Aurora, moving westward at 20 kph with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph and gustiness up to 180 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 has been raised in seven areas in Northern Luzon due to the typhoon's increasing strength.