Tropical Storm Washi Grounds Cargo Vessel and Leaves 87 Vessels Stranded

Tropical Storm Washi (known as 'Sendong' in Philippines) ravaged the Negros Oriental province of the Philippines this weekend, shutting down all sea travel in the area and grounded a cargo vessel early Saturday resulting in a rescue operation for the 34 people aboard.

PHOTO: Tropical storm Washi over Mindanao on December 16, 2011

The M/V Ever Transport II owned by Kheri Lines Inc. was docked at Dumaguete City during the onslaught of Washi after trying to pick up a shipment of beer.  After the halt of all sea transport, the Ever Transport II was left stranded, and forced to look for a new, safe place to dock when strong waves and winds battered the ship, while carrying 23 passengers and 11 crewmembers, including a one-year-old child. 

The Ever Transport II was then sent aground while looking for safety from the wrath of the tropical storm.  The Philippine Coast Guard and other volunteer groups came to the rescue of the cargo ship and rescued all 34 aboard.  The rescued passengers were temporarily sheltered and received medical assistance, according to Coast Guard personnel.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that over 5,000 passengers aboard 6 motorized boats and 87 vessels have been stranded in multiple regions due to the weather inflicted by Washi. 

PHOTO: Path of Tropical Storm Washi.

As of Monday, the storm was spotted 180-km west of Dumaguete City and has sent storm signal #2 over Palawan, Southern Negros, and Zamboanga del Norte, and storm signal #1 to Cuyo Island, Southern Cebu, Siquijor, Northern Negros, Zamboanga del Sur and Misamis Occidental, according to ABS-CBN News. 

As for Washi’s impact on land, debris and flash flooding has caused fatal chaos all over the region.    Search and rescue teams on Monday confirmed the death toll at 823 people, with 600 people still missing.