MANILA, Aug. 12 (UPI) -- Typhoon Utor strengthened as it moved toward the West Philippine Sea Monday, stranding thousands of commuters and leaving 23 fishermen missing, officials said.
The Philippine news website InterAksyon.com reported nine of 33 fishermen initially reported missing off Cantanduanes had yet to be found. Eduardo del Rosario, executive director of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said 14 other fishermen were missing in Camarines Norte.
Search-and-rescue operations were being organized, he said.
Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration forecaster Fernando Cada said Utor, called Labuyo locally, already passed through the western coast of La Union and was expected to push away from the Philippines by Tuesday, Inquirer.net reported.
The National Risk Reduction and Management Council said Monday at least 8,079 passengers were stranded and 935 people have been evacuated because of weather conditions, GMA reported.
Sea vessels were stranded as well, the council said.
At least eight domestic flights in the region were canceled Monday, GMA reported.
Power outages were scattered throughout Luzon, officials said.
Classes were suspended in at least 28 schools in metro Manila, Calabarzon and Central Luzon, authorities said.
Storm warnings were posted in Luzon and elsewhere on Utor's forecast northwesterly track as the storm was bringing with it winds and rains. It was moving at about 15 mph.
Utor had sustained winds of about 93 mph, gusting to nearly 115 mph.
Forecasters said moderate to occasionally heavy rains could be expected over parts of southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
