Tropical Storm Basyang slows down as it heads for Mindanao
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Satellite image as of February 12, 5 am. Image courtesy of NOAA
MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Basyang (Sanba) slightly slowed down before dawn on Monday, February 12, as it continued heading for Mindanao.
In a bulletin issued 5 am on Monday, state weather bureau PAGASA said Basyang is already 690 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving west northwest at 25 kilometers per hour (km/h) from the previous 27 km/h.
The tropical storm maintained its strength, with maximum winds of 65 km/h and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.
Signal number 1 is now raised over:
- Southern Leyte
- Bohol
- Dinagat Islands
- Surigao del Norte
- Surigao del Sur
- Agusan del Norte
- Agusan del Sur
- Camiguin
- Compostela Valley
- Davao Oriental
- Davao del Norte
- Misamis Oriental
- Lanao del Sur
- Bukidnon
PAGASA warned residents of areas under signal number 1 that moderate to heavy rain could trigger flash floods and landslides.
Bicol, the rest of the Visayas, and the rest of Mindanao will also have scattered rainshowers – light to heavy – due to the trough or extension of the tropical storm.
Basyang is expected to make landfall in the region of Caraga on Tuesday morning, February 13. After hitting land, it will cross Caraga as well as Northern Mindanao and Palawan.
Based on its forecast track, Basyang will leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Friday, February 16, by then likely downgraded to a tropical depression.
Forecast track of Tropical Storm Basyang as of February 12, 5 am. Image courtesy of PAGASA
Sea travel is risky in areas under signal number 1, the seaboards of Northern Luzon, the eastern seaboards of Central Luzon and Southern Luzon, and Eastern Visayas.
In a separate advisory issued on Sunday, February 11, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said its districts and stations in the Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Palawan are on alert for Basyang's possible effects.
The PCG said all district commanders in the path of the tropical storm have been ordered to "ensure the readiness of all assets and personnel to respond during emergency situations."
The PCG added that it is coordinating with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) to prepare facilities and supplies in case passengers get stranded.
Meanwhile, the northeast monsoon will continue to bring scattered rainshowers to the regions of Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, and Ilocos, as well as the provinces of Aurora and Quezon, but PAGASA said there will be "no significant impact."
The rest of the country, including Metro Manila, will only have localized thunderstorms. (READ: FAST FACTS: Tropical cyclones, rainfall advisories)
– Rappler.com
