Manila: More areas have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression (TD) Basyang moves over the Philippine Sea, the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday. The TD was last tracked at 655 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving west at 15 kph. It maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
According to Philippines News Agency, strong winds will prevail in areas where Signal No. 1 is hoisted, including parts of the Visayas and Mindanao regions. In the Visayas, affected areas include the southern portion of Eastern Samar and Southern Leyte, as well as central and southern portions of Leyte. In Mindanao, areas such as Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, and Camiguin are under the signal, along with parts of Misamis Oriental and Davao Oriental.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) noted that the northeast monsoon will also bring strong to gale-force gusts across most of Luzon, the Visayas, the Davao Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, and Lanao del Norte. There is a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge with peak heights reaching up to 2 meters within the next 48 hours over low-lying or exposed coastal communities in certain areas of Mindanao.
Gale warning is in effect over the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao. Basyang is also forecast to bring heavy rainfall across the Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental. PAGASA further forecast Basyang to make landfall over eastern Mindanao between Thursday night and Friday.
