Manila: Some areas in the Visayas and Mindanao are experiencing heavy rains and strong winds as a result of Tropical Depression (TD) Basyang.
According to Philippines News Agency, the weather bureau's 5 a.m. bulletin on Wednesday reported that TD Basyang is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, with gustiness reaching up to 70 kph. The depression was last located 895 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao, moving west-southwest at a speed of 20 kph.
Basyang is expected to bring heavy rainfall across several regions, including Eastern Samar, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Davao de Oro, and Davao Oriental. In Mindanao, strong winds will prevail in areas where signal No. 1 is hoisted, specifically in the southern portion of Surigao del Sur, which includes Cagwait, Marihatag, San Agustin, Barobo, Tagbina, Hinatuan, City of Bislig, Lingig, and Lianga.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also mentioned that the surge of the northeast monsoon, known locally as "amihan," will bring strong to gale-force gusts across most of Luzon, Visayas, Dinagat Islands, Caraga, Davao Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and Lanao del Norte. A gale warning is currently in effect over the eastern seaboard of Visayas.
Meanwhile, Basyang is expected to gradually intensify while over the Philippine Sea, possibly reaching the tropical storm category on Wednesday. PAGASA forecasts that the system may make its initial landfall over eastern Mindanao between Thursday night and Friday.
