Manila: Some areas in Mindanao have been placed under wind signal no. 2 as Tropical Storm Basyang approaches, the weather bureau announced in its 5 a.m bulletin on Thursday. Basyang is currently packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center, with gustiness reaching up to 80 kph, as reported by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
According to Philippines News Agency, the storm was last tracked 440 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving west southwest at 15 kph. Gale-force winds are expected in areas where signal no. 2 is in effect, including Surigao del Norte, particularly Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, the extreme northern part of Davao Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, parts of Bukidnon, and Camiguin.
Areas under signal no. 1 will experience strong winds. These include the southern portion of Eastern Samar, parts of Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, the southern portion of Aklan, and the central and southern portions of Antique. Additionally, Dinagat Islands, parts of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, sections of Davao del Sur, the rest of Bukidnon, parts of Cotabato, Lanao del Sur, parts of Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and sections of Zamboanga del Norte, Zamboanga del Sur, and Zamboanga Sibugay are also under signal no. 1.
Strong to gale-force gusts due to the northeast monsoon or "amihan" are expected across various regions including Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern Cagayan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Cuyo and Cagayancillo Islands, Visayas, and much of Mindanao.
PAGASA warned of a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge, with peak heights reaching up to two meters within the next 48 hours over the coastal communities of Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Davao Oriental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu, and Bohol. A gale warning is in effect over the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao.
The storm is expected to bring heavy rainfall across several provinces, including Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Zamboanga del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Davao del Norte, and Davao del Sur.
PAGASA also indicated that Basyang could intensify before making landfall over Surigao del Sur between Thursday night and Friday. However, the storm is anticipated to slightly weaken as it interacts with the landmass, though it is likely to remain a tropical storm.
