Signal no. 2 up in parts of Mindanao due to Basyang

MANILA, February 5 ------ Some areas in Mindanao have been placed under wind signal no. 2 due to Tropical Storm Basyang, the weather bureau said in its 5 a.m bulletin. Basyang packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 80 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported. It was last tracked 440 kilometers (km) east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, moving west southwest at 15 kph.

Gale-force winds will be experienced in areas where signal no. 2 is hoisted: Surigao del Norte, including Siargao - Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, the extreme northern portion of Davao Oriental (Boston), Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Misamis Oriental, the northern portion of Bukidnon (Impasug-Ong, Manolo Fortich, Malitbog, Sumilao, Libona, Baungon, City of Malaybalay, Cabanglasan), and Camiguin.

Strong winds will prevail in areas under signal no. 1 namely southern portion of Eastern Samar (Guiuan, Salcedo, Mercedes, Giporlos, Balangiga, Lawaan, Quinapondan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Llorente, Balangkayan), the southern portion of Samar (Marabut, Basey, Santa Rita), Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Siquijor, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, the southern portion of Aklan (Altavas, Batan, Balete, Libacao, Madalag), and the central and southern portions of Antique: Valderrama, San Remigio, Sibalom, Hamtic, Tobias Fornier, Anini-Y, Culasi, Tibiao, Barbaza, Laua-An, Bugasong, San Jose, Belison, Patnongon.

Also under signal no. 1 are Dinagat Islands, the northern and central portions of Davao Oriental (Cateel, Baganga, Caraga, Manay, Tarragona, Lupon, Banaybanay), Davao de Oro, Davao del Norte, the northern portion of Davao del Sur (Davao City), the rest of Bukidnon, the northern portion of Cotabato (Carmen, Banisilan, Alamada, President Roxas, Antipas, Arakan, Magpet, Matalam, Kabacan), Lanao del Sur, the northern portion of Maguindanao del Norte (Buldon, Barira, Matanog), Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, the eastern and central portions of Zamboanga del Norte (Mutia, Piñan, Polanco, Dipolog City, Dapitan City, Sibutad, Rizal, La Libertad, Labason, Kalawit, Liloy, Salug, Bacungan, Sindangan, Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Siayan, Godod, Tampilisan, Gutalac), the northern and central portions of Zamboanga del Sur (Bayog, Kumalarang, Lapuyan, San Miguel, Guipos, Dinas, San Pablo, Dumalinao, Pagadian City, Tigbao, Lakewood, Dumingag, Mahayag, Molave, Josefina, Tambulig, Aurora, Ramon Magsaysay, Sominot, Midsalip, Labangan, Tukuran), and the northern portion of Zamboanga Sibugay (Kabasalan, Diplahan, Naga, Titay, Ipil, Buug).

Strong to gale-force gusts due to the northeast monsoon or "amihan" will also be experienced across Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern portion of mainland Cagayan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Cuyo and Cagayancillo Islands, Visayas, and most of Mindanao. "There is a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge with peak heights reaching up to two meters within the next 48 hours over the low-lying or exposed 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," PAGASA warned. Gale warning is in effect over the eastern seaboard of Visayas and Mindanao, PAGASA added.

Basyang will also bring heavy rainfall across 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.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said Basyang could intensify before landfall over Surigao del Sur between Thursday night and Friday. Basyang will slightly weaken as it interacts with the landmass, but will likely remain a tropical storm, PAGASA said.

Source: pna.gov.ph