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Tourists Stranded, Island-Wide Power Outage, Residents Told To Shelter In Place As Super Typhoon Sinlaku Nears
Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent
Residents across the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) have been urged to shelter in place and stay off the roads as Super Typhoon Sinlaku approaches, with officials warning that dangerous conditions are imminent.
The CNMI Homeland Security and Emergency Management, through the Office of the Governor, said Typhoon Condition 1 remains in effect for Saipan, Tinian and Rota, while Tropical Storm Condition 1 is in place for Pagan and Alamagan.
Residents and businesses have been told to return home immediately, secure property and suspend operations, with storm-force winds beginning on Monday night.
The Commonwealth Utlities Corporation is experiencing an island-wide power outage.
The corporation said due to the increasing strong winds and heavy rain from Sinlaku, their crews are standing down.
They say crews are prepared to begin restoration efforts immediately once winds subside to safe levels.
Authorities stressed that limiting nonessential travel is critical to ensure emergency responders have clear access during the storm.
Typhoon Condition 1 indicates damaging winds of at least 74 miles per hour are expected within 12 hours, while Tropical Storm Condition 1 signals possible winds of at least 39 miles per hour in the same timeframe.
The US National Weather Service in Guam has forecast that Saipan, Tinian, and Rota will begin experiencing damaging winds Monday night, with the storm's passage expected between Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning.
Saipan and Tinian could face Category 4 conditions, with sustained winds of 130 to 156mph and gusts nearing 200mph, while Rota is expected to see Category 1 conditions.
Meanwhile, the number of residents seeking shelter continues to climb.
As of 8am Tuesday local time, 303 people have evacuated to typhoon shelters on Saipan and Tinian.
The Public School System is housing 208 evacuees on Saipan and 59 on Tinian, while the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs is sheltering 36 people in its aging centres.
Marianas High School has the highest number of evacuees at 81, followed by Koblerville Elementary School with 64 and Kagman High School with 63.
Other shelter sites include Tinian Elementary School with 45 evacuees, the Saipan Aging Center with 25, Tinian Head Start with 14, and the Rota Aging Center with 11.
Tourists stranded
At the same time, hundreds of visitors remain unable to leave the islands.
The Marianas Visitors Authority estimates that about 400 tourists are currently stranded in the CNMI after airlines cancelled flights ahead of the storm.
All four international carriers serving Saipan-United Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and T'way Air-have suspended operations due to the approaching typhoon.
MVA board chair Warren Villagomez said the estimate is based on hotel data, with visitors unable to depart as flights are grounded.
"We're working with the Office of Homeland Security, the Governor's Office, and the response coordination team to make sure that tourists are informed and kept up to date," he said.
"We're also communicating with the airlines responsible for repatriating them, although that part is beyond our control."
Villagomez said hotels are accommodating stranded guests and prioritising safety while conditions remain hazardous.
Hong Kong Airlines station manager Joan Boongaling said most affected passengers are part of tour groups, which are arranging accommodation and assistance, while the airline continues to send updates through email and text.
RNZ
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