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Saturday, September 20, 2008

200 Bicol passengers stranded as ‘Nina’ strengthens

By Ephraim Aguilar
Southern Luzon Bureau
First Posted 14:27:00 09/20/2008
INQUIRER.net

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines -- Nearly 200 people have been reported stranded in the ports of Tabaco City in Albay and Virac in Catanduanes as of noon Saturday after tropical storm Nina gained more strength as it moved closer to the eastern coast of Luzon.

Apprentice Seaman Jecosalem Berces of the Philippine Coast Guard here said sea transport to and from Catanduanes was halted after the weather service raised public storm signal No. 1.

He said seven trucks, four cars, and four buses were also stranded in the Tabaco and Virac ports.

At 10 a.m., Nina was about 610 kilometers east of Virac.

The storm was moving west-northwest at about 13 kilometers per hour, with maximum sustained winds of about 85 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, in its 11 a.m. bulletin, said Nina was expected to be 350 kilometers east of Virac by Sunday morning and 295 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora, by Monday morning.

It was forecast to be 110 kilometers east of Tuguegarao, Cagayan, Tuesday morning.

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