‘Ursula’ maroons residents, tourists in Boracay Island

By: Jennifer P. Rendon

Hundreds of residents and tourists were stranded in Boracay Island as Typhoon Ursula pummeled the tourist haven.

As of 12 p.m. of Dec. 25, 2019, authorities estimated that around 600 to 650 persons were marooned in the island.

The number peaked to around a thousand if tourists and residents who opted to temporarily stay at inns and lodging areas were included.

Two ships were also stranded in Caticlan Port in Malay, Aklan.

The Malay Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) continues to monitor the devastation of Ursula in mainland Malay and Boracay Island.

But initial report indicated that 35 residential structures, mostly made of light materials, were destroyed.

Two areas – Tambisaan and Cagban Bobun in Barangay Manoc-Manoc – were flooded.

All other areas in Boracay are accessible passable, except for the flooded areas which were aggravated as some trees were uprooted or tree branches obstructed the roadway.

The Malay Police Station reported that there was no typhoon-related casualty.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Pablito, Malay police chief, said no one was reported injured or missing in the island.

Two evacuation centers were set up in the Island with 70 evacuees.

Pablito said they have deployed personnel in evacuation centers and areas vacated by residents.

“We have also designated personnel that should patrol areas. So far, no looting incident was reported,” he said.

The whole of Boracay also has no power supply.

Meanwhile, latest reports indicated flooding in Malabunot area in Boracay, and in Cubay Sur and Cubay Norte in mainland Malay.

There was also a reported landslide at the Elizalde area in the island’s Station 1.