DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 12 February) — Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal 2 has been raised over the two Agusans and two Surigaos, while Signal 1 has been raised over 12 other Mindanao provinces and 11 provinces in the Visayas as tropical storm ‘Basyang’ slightly accelerated as it moved closer to Eastern Mindanao, the state weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. advisory.
‘Basyang’ (international name: Sanba) is expected to make landfall in Caraga region Tuesday morning or afternoon.
In areas under signals 1 and 2, several towns and cities suspended classes on Monday while others suspended classes Monday and Tuesday.
In its Severe Weather Bulletin 7 issued at 5 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), said Signal 2 has been raised over Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, while Signal 1 has been raised over Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur in Caraga region; Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte and Bukidnon in Northern Mindanao region; Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental and Davao del Norte in the Davao region; and Lanao del Sur in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao; and the northern portions of Zamboanga del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur,
Twenty of 33 Mindanao cities are within these provinces under Signal 2 and 1. Tandag and Bislig in Surigao del Sur; Surigao in Surigao del Norte; Butuan and Cabadbaran in Agusan del Norte; Bayugan in Agusan del Sur, all under Signal 2; Mati in Davao Oriental, Tagum, Panabo and Island Garden City of Samal in Davao del Norte; Cagayan de Oro, Gingoog and El Salvador in Misamis Oriental; Oroquieta, Ozamiz and Tangub in Misamis Occidental; Iligan in Lanao del Norte; Malaybalay and Valencia in Bukidnon; and Marawi City in Lanao del Sur, all under Signal 1.
Signal 1 was also raised over the southern portions of Samar and Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Guimaras and Iloilo.
PAGASA said that as of 4 p.m. Monday, Basyang’s center was estimated at 435 km east southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph and is forecast to move west northwest at 23 kph.
Mayor Alexander Pimentel of Tandag City in Surigao del Sur ordered the suspension of classes effective Monday afternoon, February 12, in elementary and secondary levels, including Junior and Senior High Schools in both public and private schools, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) in Surigao del Sur reported.
Butuan City suspended classes in pre-school, elementary and secondary both in public and private schools on Monday and Tuesday, PIA Surigao del Norte reported. It also said classes in pre-school and elementary schools both public and private in Dinagat Islands province were suspended Monday while suspension of classes in high school were to be determined by the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
In Sibagat, Surigao del Sur, Mayor Maria Liza Evangelista suspended classes in all levels on Monday and Tuesday, PIA Agusan del Sur reported.
PAGASA said scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains are expected within 24 hours over Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, North Cotabato, Maguindanao and Lanao del Sur. “Residents of these areas must continue monitoring for updates, take precautionary measures against possible flooding and landslides, and coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management offices,” it said.
‘Basyang’ is estimated to be in the vicinity of San Luis, Agusan del Sur by Tuesday afternoon; 145 km southeast of Puerto Princesa City by Wednesday afternoon; 195 km southeast of Pagasa Island, Palawan by Thursday afternoon; 170 km west southwest of Pagasa Island by Friday afternoon.
The PIA in Agusan del Norte reported that as of 2 p.m. the level of water from the stream gauge in Bangonay Bridge in Jabonga town has risen to 1.08 meters from only .5 metrs at 1:10 p.m.
All local DRRMCs were advised to take preventive measures including the suspension of classes in the elementary and secondary levels. (MindaNews)