Phivolcs raises tsunami warning off Catanduanes

By Edna Bagadiong

VIRAC, Catanduanes --- The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) raised a tsunami warning in Catanduanes after a magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit off Gigmoto (San Andres) town Tuesday night.

In the Tsunami Information No. 1, Phivolcs forecasted the first tsunami waves to arrive between 9:02 p.m. and 12:54 a.m. of the following day, Wednesday, and waves were expected to continue for hours.

Wave heights of less than one meter above the normal tides and may be higher on enclosed bays and straights were expected to be experienced.

Hence, Phivolcs advised the public to be on alert for unusual waves and to stay away from the beach and not to go to the coast of Catanduanes, Northern Samar and Eastern Samar. People living near the shoreline of these provinces were also advised to move farther inland.

Furthermore, owners of boats in harbors, estuaries or shallow coastal water were also advised to secure their boats and vacate the waterfront while boats already at sea during this period should stay offshore in deep waters until further advised.

As of 9:00 p.m. today, no earthquake-related damage has been reported to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office by any of its 11 counterparts in the municipalities. (PIA5/Catanduanes)