DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 12 February) — Storm signals 1 and 2 have been raised over 18 of Mindanao’s 27 provinces as tropical storm ‘Basyang’ approaches Eastern Mindanao, where it is expected to make landfall in Caraga region Tuesday morning, the 11 p.m. advisory of the state weather bureau said.
Fifteen Visayas provinces have also been placed under storm signal 1.
According to Severe Weather Bulletin 9 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) at 11 p.m. Monday, Storm signal 2 has been raised over all of Caraga region (Dinagat Island, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur), and parts of Northern Mindanao (Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and the northern section of Bukidnon).
Signal 1 has been raised over Zamboanga region (Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay), the rest of Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte in Northern Mindanao; Lanao del Sur in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM); North Cotabato in Region 12; and Compostela Valley, Davao del Norte, and Davao Oriental in the Davao region.
In the Visayas, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Bohol, Cebu, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Biliran, southern portion of Samar, and southern portion of Eastern Samar were placed under Signal 1.
The advisory said that as of 10 p.m. Monday, the center of ‘Basyang’ was estimated at 300 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.
‘Basyang’ (international name: Sanba) is forecast to move west northwest at 25 kph and is estimated to be in the vicinity of Sapang Dalaga in Misamis Occidentaly by Tuesday evening; 95 km southwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan by Wednesday evening; 120 km southeast of Pagasa Island, Palawan, outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday evening; and 245 km west of Pagasa Island by Friday evening.
The advisory warned of possible flooding and landslides due to scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail in the next 24 hours over Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula and the provinces of Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Compostela Valley, and Lanao del Sur.
Scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rains are expected over Bicol Region, the rest of Mindanao and the province of Romblon, PAGASA said. (MindaNews)