NDRRMC suspends Eastern Visayas land travel over threat of tropical storm

Land travels in Eastern Visayas are canceled starting Tuesday, 8 a.m., except for those already in transit, due to the threat of Tropical Storm Rai, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said.

In an advisory sent to the Eastern Visayas regional directors and heads, NDRRMC noted that the travel suspension only concerns those coming from Mindanao and Luzon.

This is in line with its preparations and response arrangements for the tropical storm which will be named “Odette” once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) possibly on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, sea travel will continue as the weather permits until concerned authorities issue a temporary suspension of port operations, NDRRMC added.

“This action is to prevent the unwanted movement, surge, and build-up of individuals and vehicles in ports and terminals due to the cancellation of sea trips due to unfavorable weather conditions,” the letter read.

On Monday, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) issued a memorandum circular, per request of the Office of Civil Defense, to suspend land travel bound to Visayas and Mindanao starting Monday, 6 p.m.

Likewise, land travel bound to Catanduanes and Masbate is suspended starting Tuesday, 9 a.m.

This, according to LTO, is “to prevent possible damage to both life and property” that may be caused by the tropical storm and to avoid the congestion of stranded vehicles along Maharlika Highway.

“All suspensions will be automatically lifted once Tropical Depression Wind Signals from said areas are lifted,” LTO regional director Francisco Ranches Jr. said.—Giselle Ombay/AOL, GMA News