Typhoon Sarika threatens northern Philippines

Nearly 4,000 passengers in different Philippine ports were stranded and a number of families were evacuated due to the threat of typhoon Sarika, locally named as Karen, which is expected to make a landfall early Sunday, the state disaster management agency said Saturday.

Authorities have barred motor bancas and other passenger ships from sailing in nine ports in northern island of Luzon and in central island of Visayas.

A total of 3,891 passengers, 386 rolling cargoes, 29 vessels and 24 motor bancas were stranded in the ports, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council ( NDRRMC) said.

At least 20 domestic flights were also cancelled due to bad weather and several classes were also suspended.

Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella called on the public to keep safe and prepare against the onslaught of the typhoon.

The state weather forecasting agency said Sarika has further intensified as it continues to threaten northern province of Aurora where it is expected to make a landfall between 12:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. local time.

It packs maximum sustain winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 195 kph.

Ten provinces in northern part of the country were placed under tropical cyclone warning number 3. Endit