Butuan City—The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced the suspension of sea travels in parts of Surigao and Dinagat Islands on Sunday due to the strong to gale force winds brought by the southwest monsoon.
According to the Philippines News Agency, the affected areas include Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, and Siargao Islands, where all vessels and watercraft under 250 gross tonnages are temporarily barred from setting sail. “Winds with speeds of 53 to 63 kilometers per hour are expected over the coastal and sea areas of Surigao del Norte,” stated the Coast Guard Station (CGS) Surigao del Norte. This announcement was accompanied by a warning of rough to very rough sea conditions, with wave heights expected to reach 3.7 to 4.5 meters.
Local Coast Guard stations have advised residents in coastal communities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions against the potent winds and high seas. Fishermen have been specifically warned to refrain from going out to sea, and beachgoers are discouraged from swimming due to the unfavorable weather conditions prevailing in the region.