MANILA, Philippines—Surigao del Sur and Surigao del Norte were placed under Signal No. 1 due to Tropical Depression Basyang which has maintained its strength, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) said on Wednesday.
Nathaniel Servando, Pagasa chief, said the tropical depression 735 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur is moving southwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) while packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
He said that the highest storm signal that may be hoisted throughout the passage of “Basyang” would be Signal No. 2.
Servando said the tropical cyclone will make its initial landfall over eastern Mindanao between Thursday evening and Friday morning.
By Saturday afternoon or evening, “Basyang,” the second storm to hit the country this year, will cross the northern portion of Palawan, then reemerge over the West Philippine Sea. It will likely intensify over the Philippine Sea and may reach tropical storm category on Wednesday.
“Basyang” may weaken into a tropical depression while traversing Visayas and will be downgraded to a low pressure area by Sunday, Pagasa said.
Meanwhile, Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy with isolated light rains due to the northeast monsoon or amihan.
