Tropical Storm Basyang Maintains Strength, Wind Signals Up in Visayas-Mindanao
Tropical Storm Basyang: Wind Signals Up, 1.8K Families Affected

Tropical Storm Basyang Maintains Strength, Wind Signals Remain in Effect Across Visayas and Mindanao

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported in its early morning bulletin that Tropical Storm Basyang, internationally known as Penha, has maintained its intensity as it moves across the archipelago. As of the 5 a.m. update on Friday, the storm continues to pose significant threats to several regions, with wind signals still hoisted over numerous provinces.

Current Storm Position and Movement

PAGASA's latest tracking places Tropical Storm Basyang in the vicinity of Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, moving northwestward at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour. The storm packs maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour near its center, with gustiness reaching up to 90 kilometers per hour. Weather forecasters anticipate Basyang will maintain tropical storm strength while traversing Central and Western Visayas, with possible weakening into a tropical depression expected by Friday night or Saturday morning.

Areas Under Wind Signal No. 2

Gale-force winds are currently prevailing in the following areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2:

Visayas Region:

  • The southern portion of Leyte including Matalom, Bato, Hilongos, and Hindang
  • Southern Leyte province
  • Bohol province
  • The central and southern portions of Cebu covering multiple municipalities and cities including 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, and Liloan
  • Siquijor province
  • Negros Oriental province
  • The southern portion of Negros Occidental including 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, and Hinigaran

Mindanao Region:

  • Dinagat Islands
  • Surigao del Norte province
  • The northern portion of Surigao del Sur covering Lanuza, San Miguel, Tago, Carmen, Cortes, City of Tandag, Madrid, Cantilan, and Carrascal
  • Agusan del Norte province
  • The northern portion of Agusan del Sur including City of Bayugan, Sibagat, and Esperanza
  • Camiguin province
  • Misamis Oriental province
  • The northern portion of Bukidnon covering Impasug-Ong, Manolo Fortich, Malitbog, Sumilao, Libona, and Baungon
  • The eastern portion of Misamis Occidental including Baliangao, Plaridel, Lopez Jaena, Oroquieta City, Calamba, Aloran, and Panaon

Areas Under Wind Signal No. 1

Strong winds are affecting the following areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1:

Luzon Region:

  • The southern portion of Occidental Mindoro including San Jose, Magsaysay, Rizal, Calintaan, and Sablayan
  • The southern portion of Oriental Mindoro covering Mansalay, Bulalacao, Gloria, Pinamalayan, Bansud, Bongabong, and Roxas
  • Romblon province
  • The northern portion of Palawan including Taytay, El Nido, Dumaran, and Araceli, plus Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands
  • The southern portion of Masbate covering Mandaon, Milagros, Balud, Placer, Cawayan, and Esperanza

Visayas Region:

  • The southern portion of Eastern Samar including Guiuan, Salcedo, Mercedes, Giporlos, Balangiga, Lawaan, Quinapondan, General Macarthur, Hernani, Llorente, Balangkayan, City of Borongan, and Maydolong
  • The southern portion of Samar covering Marabut, Basey, Santa Rita, Daram, Talalora, Zumarraga, Villareal, Pinabacdao, and Calbiga
  • Biliran province
  • The rest of Leyte province
  • The rest of Cebu province
  • The rest of Negros Occidental province
  • Guimaras province
  • Iloilo province
  • Capiz province
  • Aklan province
  • Antique province

Mindanao Region:

  • The rest of Surigao del Sur province
  • The rest of Agusan del Sur province
  • The northern portion of Davao Oriental including Boston
  • The northern portion of Davao de Oro covering Monkayo, Montevista, and Laak
  • The northern portion of Davao del Norte including San Isidro, Talaingod, and Kapalong
  • The central portion of Bukidnon covering San Fernando, Lantapan, City of Valencia, Talakag, Don Carlos, Maramag, Quezon, Kalilangan, Pangantucan, Cabanglasan, and City of Malaybalay
  • Lanao del Norte province
  • The rest of Misamis Occidental province
  • Lanao del Sur province
  • The eastern and central portions of Zamboanga del Norte covering Mutia, Piñan, Polanco, Dipolog City, Dapitan City, Sibutad, Rizal, La Libertad, Salug, Bacungan, Sindangan, Jose Dalman, Manukan, Pres. Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Sergio Osmeña Sr., Siayan, and Godod
  • The northern and central portions of Zamboanga del Sur covering Bayog, Kumalarang, Pagadian City, Tigbao, Lakewood, Dumingag, Mahayag, Molave, Josefina, Tambulig, Aurora, Ramon Magsaysay, Sominot, Midsalip, Labangan, and Tukuran
  • The northeastern portion of Zamboanga Sibugay including Kabasalan, Diplahan, Buug, and Siay

Additional Weather Hazards and Warnings

PAGASA has issued several important weather advisories alongside the wind signals. The weather bureau reported a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge with peak heights potentially reaching up to 2 meters within the next 48 hours. These storm surges may affect low-lying or exposed coastal communities across multiple provinces including Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan including Calamian and Cuyo islands, Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Camiguin, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Lanao del Norte, Misamis Occidental, and Davao Oriental.

A gale warning remains in effect over the eastern and central seaboards of Visayas and the northern and eastern seaboards of Mindanao, advising mariners and fishing communities to exercise extreme caution.

Heavy rainfall is forecast across numerous provinces including Cebu, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Siquijor, Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, Agusan del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Palawan, Negros Occidental, Southern Leyte, Leyte, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, Davao del Norte, Davao de Oro, Davao Oriental, Zamboanga del Norte, Eastern Samar, Aklan, Capiz, Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Maguindanao del Norte, Cotabato, and Davao del Sur.

Impact on Communities and Disaster Response

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) has reported that Tropical Storm Basyang has already affected a total of 1,884 families across the country. This translates to approximately 6,152 individuals residing in 21 barangays within the Caraga Region.

As of the latest update, disaster response teams have provided shelter for 1,710 families across 37 evacuation centers, while an additional 101 families are receiving assistance outside formal evacuation facilities. The NDRRMC continues to monitor the situation and coordinate relief efforts, though comprehensive figures regarding infrastructure and agricultural damage from the storm have yet to be released by the disaster response agency.

Residents in affected areas are advised to remain vigilant, follow evacuation orders when issued, and stay updated with the latest weather bulletins from PAGASA as Tropical Storm Basyang continues its path across the Philippine archipelago.