Basyang intensifies; Signal No. 2 in 13 areas

MANILA Philippines – State weather bureau PAGASA reported in its latest update at 11 am Friday, January 31, that tropical depression Basyang has intensified into a tropical storm and is continuing to move towards the Leyte-Caraga area.

Basyang is currently 500 km East Northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 80 km/h. It is forecast to move west at approximately 30 km/h.

Basyang is expected to make landfall over Southern Leyte to the northern tip of Surigao del Norte by late Friday evening or early Saturday morning. It is expected to be in the vicinity of Naga City, Cebu by Saturday morning.

By Sunday, February 2, Basyang is expected to be 133 km northwest of Puerto Princesa City, and should now be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Monday morning, February 3.

The following areas are now under storm signal no. 2 (winds of at least 60 km/h to 100 km/h may be expected in at least 24 hours):

In Visayas:

• Cebu
• Bohol
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Eastern Samar
• Samar 
• Camotes Island

In Mindanao:

• Camiguin
• Dinagat Province
• Surigao del Norte 
• Siargao Is.
• Northern Part of Surigao del Sur 
• Northern Part of Agusan del Norte

The following areas are under storm signal no. 1 (30-60 km/h winds may be expected in at least 36 hours):

In Luzon:

• Cuyo
• Masbate

In Visayas:

• Northern Samar
• Biliran Island
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Antique
• Iloilo
• Guimaras
• Negros Occidental
• Negros Oriental 
• Siquijor

In Mindanao:

• Misamis Oriental
• Misamis Occidental
• rest of Agusan del Norte
• rest of Surigao del Sur
• Agusan del Sur
• Northern part of Bukidnon
• Zamboanga del Norte

Most of the areas in the Visayas under public storm signals 1 and 2 are the same areas devastated by a slew of natural calamities – the October 2013 earthquake in Bohol, Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), and Tropical Depression Agaton.

Makeshift homes and shelters in Yolanda affected areas were also recently uprooted by Tropical Depression Agaton. 

Those in low lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signal 1 or 2 should be aware of  possible flashfloods and landslides. Those living in coastal areas under signal no. 2 should also take care against potential storm surges.

The estimated rainfall amount within the 400 km diameter of the tropical storm is currently at 5-15 mm per hour (moderate to heavy).

Seafarers are currently advised not to venture out into the  eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to the surge of the northeast monsoon.

The next bulletin is scheduled to be issued at 5 pmm today. – Rappler.com