'Basyang' threatens Yolanda-hit Leyte; storm signal up

MANILA, Philippines - More areas have been placed under storm signal no. 1 as Tropical Depression "Basyang" continues to move towards the Leyte-Caraga area, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Friday.

The agency said that as of 4 a.m., the center of Basyang was located at 768 kilometers east northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

It is forecast to move west at 30 kilometers per hour and moderate to heavy rainfall is expected within the 300-kilometer diameter of the tropical depression.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 has been hoisted over the southern part of Samar, southern part of Eastern Samar, Leyte including Biliran, Southern Leyte, Camotes Island, Cebu, Negros provinces, Siquijor Island and Bohol.

Also under the storm signal are the areas of Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island, Surigao del Sur, Northern part of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Camiguin Island, Dinagat Province and Misamis Oriental.

PAGASA said residents living in low lying and mountainous areas under the storm signal are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides.

Fishing boats and other small seacrafts are advised not to venture out into the eastern seaboards of Central and Southern Luzon and Visayas due to Basyang and the Northeast Monsoon.

According to PAGASA, Basyang is expected to be at 152 km North Northeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur by tomorrow morning and at 189 km northeast of Puerto Princesa City by Sunday morning.

By Monday morning, it is expected to be at 706 km northwest of Puerto Princesa City or outside Philippine Area of Responsibility.

Super Typhoon "Yolanda" ravaged Eastern Visayas including Leyte province in November 2013, killing over 6,000 people.