Caraga: Local government units (LGUs) across the Caraga Region suspended classes and work as Tropical Storm Basyang approached.
According to Philippines News Agency, as of 8 a.m., the weather bureau located Basyang 385 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of up to 80 kph. Forecasters expect the storm to make landfall in Surigao del Sur between Thursday evening and Friday morning.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 has been hoisted over the southern portion of Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and the northern and eastern portions of Agusan del Sur. Meanwhile, Dinagat Islands and the rest of Surigao del Norte remain under TCWS No. 1.
In Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, Mayor Roxanne Pimentel issued Executive Order 06-02, ordering the forced evacuation of residents in coastal, low-lying, and landslide-prone areas due to adverse weather conditions. Pimentel also issued EO 06-01, suspending work in public and private establishments, excluding essential services like disaster response and health. Work suspensions have been declared in the Surigao del Sur towns of San Miguel, Hinatuan, San Agustin, and Cantilan.
Agusan del Norte's provincial government suspended work in government offices effective noon. In Tubay town, local authorities have commenced preemptive evacuations for residents in high-risk zones. Butuan City's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council raised a red alert status, activating all response clusters, and the city government suspended work in government agencies, urging the private sector to do the same.
Agusan del Sur and the Dinagat Islands have also suspended government work and classes. Sea travel remains suspended across the region, with 161 rolling cargoes and 357 passengers stranded outside Lipata Port in Surigao City, and 33 passengers waiting inside.
Local officials and the National Irrigation Administration are closely monitoring river systems and water levels in major irrigation facilities as rains persist. Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Caraga has activated its Quick Response Teams to ensure swift humanitarian assistance.
