Gale warning raised over Bicol waters

By Mar S. Arguelles LEGAZPI CITY --- Fishermen were advised yesterday (Nov. 1) morning not to fish and sail off the waters of Catanduanes, Camarines provinces, including the eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon following gale warning issued by the local weather bureau here. Claudio Yucot, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) here, said the prevailing strong gale force prompted authorities to enforce the “no sailing” policy that specifically bars fishing boats and small seacrafts from venturing into the sea. Yucot in a phone interview said he has already advised various disaster councils about the ‘no sailing’ warning as a preemptive disaster measure. Affected by the strong gale force are the seaboards of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and the eastern coast of Albay and Sorsogon. These coastal areas are expected to experience rough to very rough with waves as high as 3.4 to 4.5 meters until the next warning. Flooding An OCD report said floodings were reported on Tuesday in the towns of Baao, Garchitorena, Balatan, Caramoan, Lagonoy and Iriga City, all in Camarines Sur. In Camarines Norte, incidents of flooding and landslide were reported in the towns of Labo and Mercedes; 13 families, or 59 persons, were evacuated to two evacuation centers. Missing fishermen In Catanduanes, search and rescue operations were launched for two fishermen who went fishing off the waters of Bato town, the report said. Bato DRRM identified the missing fishermen as Albert and Allan, all surnamed Pantino, residents of Bgy. Pananaogan, Bato Catanduanes. The report also said that a small boat capsized at around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday capsized due to strong waves. Fortunately, all their passengers were rescued. Another boat was reported missing and was the subject of search and rescue operation as of reporting period.