59 tourists stranded in Batanes as monsoon batters island province

CAUAYAN CITY — Fifty-nine tourists and island visitors remained stranded in Batanes as of Thursday following weeks of continuous rainfall driven by the southwest monsoon system affecting the province.

The provincial government has appealed for special mercy flights to rescue the stranded passengers, who have been unable to leave due to deteriorating weather conditions that have disrupted regular transport services to and from the island.

The southwest monsoon has brought persistent wet weather to Batanes, an archipelago located off the northern tip of the Philippines. The combination of heavy rains and rough sea conditions has prevented ferries and regular flights from operating, effectively isolating the group of visitors on the islands.

Local authorities have been coordinating with national government agencies to arrange emergency flights to evacuate the stranded tourists. Officials have emphasized the urgency of the situation as supplies and accommodation resources on the remote islands face strain from the extended weather emergency.

Batanes, located approximately 160 kilometers north of mainland Luzon, is highly vulnerable to severe weather during the monsoon season. The province's limited transport infrastructure typically relies on fair weather conditions for regular passenger and cargo operations.