Manila: Tropical Storm Basyang (international name Penha) has been accelerating, moving at 25 kph westward, the weather bureau said in its 11 a.m. bulletin on Thursday. Basyang was last tracked 295 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 80 kph.
According to Philippines News Agency, this prompted the Philippine Airlines to cancel eight flights to and from Siargao due to Basyang's proximity: 2P 2351-2352, 2P 2382-2383 Cebu-Siargao-Cebu, 2P 2875-2375 Clark-Siargao-Cebu, and 2P 2973-2974 Manila-Siargao-Manila. More areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2, where gale-force winds will prevail. Areas affected include Siquijor, the southeastern portion of Negros Oriental, parts of Cebu and Bohol in the Visayas, and Surigao del Norte including Siargao - Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, and several areas in Mindanao.
Strong winds are expected in areas under TCWS No. 1, affecting various parts of the Visayas and Mindanao. There is a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge with peak heights reaching up to 2 meters within the next 48 hours over coastal communities in several regions including Agusan del Norte, Antique, Bohol, Camiguin, Cebu, and others.
A gale warning remains in effect over the eastern seaboard of the Visayas and Mindanao. PAGASA projects that Basyang will make an initial landfall over Surigao del Sur on Thursday night, with potential intensification before landfall.
