Signal No. 2 up in parts of Visayas, Mindanao as ‘Basyang’ nears Central Visayas

MANILA, Philippines, February 6 ------ Several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao were placed under Signal No. 2 as Tropical Storm “Basyang” (international name: Penha) moved over the Bohol Sea and continued to head toward Central Visayas, the state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 8 a.m. weather bulletin, PAGASA said the center of Basyang was estimated over the coastal waters of Malimono, Surigao del Norte. It was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 90 kilometers per hour, with a central pressure of 1000 hPa. Basyang is moving west-northwestward at 20 kilometers per hour, with strong to gale-force winds extending up to 330 kilometers from the center.

Warning signal

The state weather bureau hoisted the following tropical cyclone wind signals in several areas:

Signal No. 2

Visayas

Southern portion of Leyte (Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, Hindang)

Southern Leyte

Bohol

central and southern portions of Cebu (Samboan, Malabuyoc, Oslob, Ginatilan, Alegria, Dalaguete, Boljoon, Alcoy, Santander, Argao, Badian, Moalboal, Ronda, Alcantara, Sibonga, Dumanjug, City of Carcar, Barili, Aloguinsan, San Fernando, Pinamungahan, City of Naga, Lapu-Lapu City, Cordova, Cebu City, City of Talisay, Minglanilla, Toledo City, Mandaue City, Consolacion, Liloan)

Siquijor

Negros Oriental

southern portion of Negros Occidental (Candoni, City of Sipalay, Ilog, City of Kabankalan, Cauayan, Hinoba-An, City of Himamaylan, Binalbagan, Isabela, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Valladolid, Pulupandan, La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Hinigaran)

Mindanao

Dinagat Islands

Surigao del Norte

northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Lanuza, San Miguel, Tago, Carmen, Cortes, City of Tandag, Madrid, Cantilan, Carrascal)

Agusan del Norte

northern portion of Agusan del Sur (City of Bayugan, Sibagat, Esperanza)

Camiguin

Misamis Oriental

eastern portion of Misamis Occidental (Baliangao, Plaridel, Lopez Jaena, Oroquieta City, Calamba, Aloran, Panaon)

Residents in these areas should prepare for a minor to moderate threat to life and property due to gale-force winds ranging from 62 to 88 kph.

Signal No. 1

Luzon

southern portion of Occidental Mindoro

southern portion of Oriental Mindoro

Romblon

northern portion of Palawan, including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands

southern portion of Masbate

Visayas

southern portion of Eastern Samar

southern portion of Samar

Biliran

rest of Leyte

rest of Cebu

rest of Negros Occidental

Guimaras

Iloilo

Capiz

Aklan

Antique

Mindanao

central portion of Surigao del Sur

central portion of Agusan del Sur

northern and central portions of Bukidnon

Lanao del Norte

rest of Misamis Occidental

Lanao del Sur

eastern and central portions of Zamboanga del Norte

northern and central portions of Zamboanga del Sur

northeastern portion of Zamboanga Sibugay

Areas under Signal No. 1 may experience strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph, which could cause minimal to minor damage. Tropical Storm Basyang may still bring heavy rain and strong winds to areas outside its possible landfall area as it continues to move west-northwestward. PAGASA said the center of Basyang may pass close to or make landfall over Bohol and the southern portions of Cebu and Negros Oriental before emerging over the Sulu Sea, passing near the Cuyo Islands, and crossing northern Palawan. The storm is expected to remain a tropical storm while traversing Central Visayas and the Negros Island Region, but may weaken into a tropical depression by Friday night or Saturday and further downgrade into a low pressure area by Sunday, February 8.

Source: philstar.com