By Brian Campued
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 has been raised over parts of Eastern Visayas and northeastern Mindanao as Tropical Depression Basyang continues to intensify over the Philippine Sea.
In its 5:00 p.m. update this Wednesday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Basyang was located 655 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
The tropical depression packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gustiness of up to 70 kph while moving westward at 15 kph.
Residents in the following areas under TCWS No. 1 are warned of possible strong winds, which may be felt within the next 36 hours:
- Southern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan, Salcedo, Mercedes, Giporlos, Balangiga, Lawaan, Quinapondan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Llorente, Maydolong, Balangkayan, and the City of Borongan)
- Southern portion of Samar (Marabut and Basey)
- Southern Leyte
- Central and southern portions of Leyte (Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Mahaplag, Abuyog, Macarthur, Javier, the City of Baybay, Tolosa, Palo, Tacloban City, Santa Fe, Pastrana, Dagami, Albuera, Tabontabon, Tanauan, Dulag, Julita, La Paz, Mayorga, and Burauen)
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Agusan del norte
- Agusan del Sur
- Camiguin
- Eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Talisayan, Medina, Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Claveria, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Binuangan, Lagonglong, and Balingasag)
- Northern portion of Davao Oriental (Boston and Cateel)
According to PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja, Basyang is forecast to intensify into a tropical storm in less than 12 hours.
“Possible siyang mag-landfall dito po sa may Caraga Region, either sa may Surigao del Norte or Surigao del Sur—that’s tomorrow evening (Feb. 5) or sa Friday ng umaga (Feb. 6),” Estareja said.
Afterwards, it will weaken into a tropical depression while traversing northern Mindanao and Visayas and will be downgraded to low pressure area by Sunday, Feb. 8.
In terms of rainfall, moderate to heavy rains are expected over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental until Thursday afternoon.
Heavy to intense rains will be experienced over Southern Leyte, Bohol, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Siquijor, Misamis Occidental, and Misamis Oriental between Thursday to Friday afternoon.
Moderate to heavy rains are likewise forecast over Eastern Samar, Samar, Leyte, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental during the same period.
“Ito pong ganitong mga kalakas po na mga pag-ulan, posibleng magdulot ng mga pagbaha sa mga low-lying areas, maaaring makapag-apaw ng mga ilog, at magdulot ng landslides,” Estareja said.
Meanwhile, residents in low-lying or exposed coastal communities of Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental are warned of a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge with peak heights reaching up to two meters within the next 28 hours.
Gale Warning is also in effect over the northern and eastern coast of Northern Samar (Laoang, Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay, and Lapinig) and Eastern Samar.
-av
