Typhoon Nina lashes Bicol, Southern Luzon, causes brownout, evacuation

Typhoon Nina (international name: Nock-Ten) barrelled through the Bicol region Sunday and headed toward Southern Luzon on Monday, causing brownouts and evacuation, reports on Unang Balita said.

In Camarines Sur in Bicol, heavy rains and strong winds were felt for four hours starting at 8 p.m. Sunday, GMA News' Joseph Morong reported on Monday.

The heaviest downpour occurred from 9 to 11 p.m., accompanied by strong winds and at times, lightning.

Trees were uprooted and caused damage on a classroom.

On Sunday, a tree fell on a passing vehicle which had three passengers. 

Authorities are still surveying the damage to come up with an estimate of the cost.

Residents have been evacuated and are now housed in evacuation centers.

LOOK: residents frm brgy panagan, lagonoy, camarines sur evacuate ahead of #ninaph @gmanews pic.twitter.com/SlSFsUPWMg

— Joseph Morong (@Joseph_Morong) December 25, 2016

"We continue to pray, stay positive and stay alert. Brownout in a lot of areas already," Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte said in a post on his Instagram account, Reuters reported.

Communication lines have also been cut in some areas, Reuters also reported, citing radio reports.

Catanduanes

On Sunday night at 6:30 p.m., the typhoon made landfall in Catanduanes in the Bicol region.

More than 4,000 families were forced to evacuate, a report on Unang Balita on Monday said.

Zero visibility was reported on the roads due to the heavy rains and strong winds on Sunday, which is Christmas Day.

Big waves were spotted on the coast and the roofs of some houses were almost blown away, the report said.

Quezon

Meanwhile, in Mauban, Quezon, strong winds and rain were felt starting 11 p.m. Sunday up to posting time, GMA News' Cesar Apolinario reported.

Fishermen brought their bancas to safer areas as authorities disallowed sea travel as of Sunday morning.

Signal No. 2 is currently hoisted over Northern Quezon including Mauban, while Signal No. 3 is up over Southern Quezon.

Residents living in low-lying and coastal areas were brought to evacuation centers. 

In Southern Quezon, many trees were uprooted and blocked highways.

Several areas experienced brownout.

Typhoon Nina is moving westward and is expected to make a landfall in Batangas on Monday.

Stranded in Batangas, Sorsogon, Samar

In Sorsogon in the Visayas, big waves were reported in the seas, a report on Unang Balita on Monday said.

Many Filipinos who were supposed to go on vacation in the province had to spend Christmas at the Matnog Port as sea travel was not allowed by authorities.

The stranded passengers had to cook and share a meal in their cramped vehicles at the port.

The situation was similar at the Batangas Port in Southern Luzon where many passengers had to spend Christmas Day stranded.

Passengers had to make do with the little space available to sleep.

Cargo trucks were also among the vehicles who could not travel due to the typhoon.

In Allen, Northern Samar in the Visayas, meanwhile, 1,000 passengers spent Christmas Day stranded at the port.

Buses going to other provinces via the RORO vessels had to stay put at the port until authorities give the go signal for sea travel.

Bus companies promised to provide passengers food.

The Municipal Social Welfare and Development office of Allen prepared relief goods for the stranded passengers. —KG, GMA News