Surigao: Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 is hoisted in parts of Surigao provinces as Tropical Depression Basyang maintained its strength, the weather bureau said Wednesday. In its 11 a.m. update, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that Basyang is packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph. It was last tracked 735 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving southwest at 15 kph.
According to Philippines News Agency, Surigao del Sur and the eastern portion of Surigao del Norte, including Claver, Gigaquit, Bacuag, and the Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, are under TCWS No. 1 and will experience strong winds. The surge of the northeast monsoon will also 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 in effect over the eastern seaboard of Visayas.
Meanwhile, Basyang is still forecast to make landfall over eastern Mindanao between Thursday night and Friday. It is also expected to intensify into a tropical storm today, according to PAGASA.
