'Basyang' intensifies; 13 areas under signal #2

MANILA, Philippines - Several areas were warned against heavy rainfall and storm surges as approaching Tropical Cyclone "Basyang" intensified into a storm, state weather bureau PAGASA said before Friday noon.

The agency said Basyang was located at 500 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur at 10 a.m. moving west at 30 kilometers per hour (kph).

The second tropical cyclone to hit the country this year is packed with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gusts of up to 80 kph.

Moderate to heavy rainfall (five to 15 millimeters per hour) is expected within the 500-kilometer of the storm.

More areas have been placed under public storm warning signals due to the approaching storm:

Signal No. 2
Cebu
Bohol
Leyte
Southern Leyte
Eastern Samar
Samar
Camotes Island
Camiguin
Dinagat Province
Surigao del Norte
Siargao Island
Northern Part of Surigao del Sur
Northern Part of Agusan del Norte

Signal No. 1
Masbate
Cuyo Island
Northern Samar
Biliran Island
Aklan
Capiz
Antique
Iloilo
Guimaras
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Siquijor
Misamis Oriental
Misamis Occidental
Agusan del Norte
rest of Surigao del Sur
Agusan del Sur
Northern part of Bukidnon
Zamboanga del Norte

PAGASA said residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under public storm warning signals are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Those living in coastal areas under Signal No. 2 are also alerted against storm surges.

Fishing boats and other small sea vessels are also told  to avoid  the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon due to the surge of the Northeast Monsoon.

The weather bureau said Basyang continues to move toward the Leyte-Caraga area.

It is expected to make landfall over the area of Southern Leyte and the northern tip of Surigao del Norte late Friday night or early Saturday morning.

According to PAGASA, Basyang is expected to be in the vicinity of Naga City, Cebu by tomorrow morning and at 133 km northwest of Puerto Princesa City by Sunday morning.

By Monday morning, it is expected to be at 729 km west northwest of Puerto Princesa City or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.