Manila: Tropical Storm Basyang has intensified slightly, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Signal No. 2 warnings in parts of Visayas and Mindanao.
According to Philippines News Agency, PAGASA's 5 p.m. bulletin revealed that Basyang was last tracked 150 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. The storm is moving west-northwest at a speed of 25 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
Gale-force winds are expected in areas under Signal No. 2, which include specific locations in Visayas and Mindanao. In the Visayas, the areas affected are Siquijor, the southern portion of Negros Oriental, the southern portion of Negros Occidental, the southern portion of Cebu, and the southern portion of Bohol. In Mindanao, the affected areas are Surigao del Norte, including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, extreme northern Davao Oriental, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, northern Bukidnon, northeastern Lanao del Norte, northeastern Misamis Occidental, and Camiguin.
Strong winds will also affect areas under Signal No. 1, which include parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. In Luzon, areas such as the southern parts of Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, southern Romblon, and northern Palawan, including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancilo Islands, are under this warning. In Visayas, southern portions of Eastern Samar and Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, and the rest of Cebu and Negros provinces, among others, are affected. In Mindanao, areas like Dinagat Islands, parts of Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, and other regions are under Signal No. 1.
PAGASA has issued a warning for minimal to moderate risk of storm surge, with peak heights reaching up to 2 meters over low-lying or exposed coastal communities within the next 48 hours. These areas include Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, parts of Palawan, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, and several other regions across Visayas and Mindanao.
A gale warning is also in effect over the eastern and central seaboards of Visayas and the northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao. Heavy rainfall is expected across various regions, including Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte and Sur, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Southern Leyte, and others.
Basyang is predicted to further intensify before making its initial landfall over Surigao del Sur on Thursday night or Friday.
