At least 3,400 passengers have been stranded at different ports in Bicol and Eastern Visayas in central Philippines due to heavy downpour induced by typhoon Xangsane, locally known as Milenyo, the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) reported Wednesday.

Quoting reports from field offices, NDCC officer-in-charge Anthony Rolando Golez said that, of the 10 ports affected, the port in Matnog town in Sorsogon ranked the top with 1,742 people stranded.

Transport authorities usually suspend the operations of vessels during heavy downpour to avoid possible mishap.

Public storm warning signal No. 3 is in effect over Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Masbate, Albay and Ticao island, Samar provinces and Burias island while storm signal No. 2 is enforced over Camarines Norte, Southern Quezon, and Leyte, including Biliran island.

On the other hand, public storm warning signal No. 1 is in effect over the rest of Quezon province, Polilio island, Rizal, Laguna, Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Southern Leyte, Camotes Island, Northern Cebu, Aklan, Capiz, Dinagat Islands and Siargao Islands, all in central Philippines.

Golez has warned residents in the areas, particularly those living in low-lying and mountainous places against flash floods and landslides to adopt prepared measures to effectively respond to any possible effects.

Specifically, the NDCC official advised residents living at the coasts in the areas where public storm warning signal No. 2 and 3 are hoisted to seek higher grounds due to possible storm surge.

(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2006)