Tropical Depression Basyang weakens into LPA then dissipates

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Depression Basyang (Penha) weakened into a low pressure area (LPA) while moving over the Sulu Sea at 2 am on Saturday, February 7, then dissipated at 8 am.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said no new LPAs or potential tropical cyclones are being monitored inside or outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Basyang entered PAR last Tuesday, February 3. It made landfall five times — once in Mindanao when it was at its peak as a tropical storm, and four times in the Visayas as a tropical depression.

Thursday, February 5, as a tropical storm

• Bayabas, Surigao del Sur (11:50 pm)

Friday, February 6, as a tropical depression

• Jagna, Bohol (11 am)
• Dauis, Bohol (4 pm)
• Alcoy, Cebu (7:50 pm)
• Ayungon, Negros Oriental (9 pm)

During the peak of Basyang’s onslaught, it dumped heavy to torrential rain, especially in the regions of Caraga and Northern Mindanao. Floods and landslides hit various areas. Signal No. 2 was the highest tropical cyclone wind signal raised.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said on Saturday morning that two people were reported dead in Caraga.

While Basyang is gone, the shear line is affecting Calabarzon, Bicol, Metro Manila, Aurora, Northern Samar, and Eastern Samar on Saturday, causing scattered rain and isolated thunderstorms.

Below is PAGASA’s updated three-day rainfall outlook for the provinces most affected by the shear line.

Saturday, February 7

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Quezon, Camarines Norte

Sunday, February 8

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Quezon, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Camarines Norte

Monday, February 9

• Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Northern Samar

Another source of rain on Saturday is the northeast monsoon or amihan, which may trigger moderate to at times heavy rain in Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and Apayao, as well as isolated light rain in other parts of Northern Luzon and Central Luzon.

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Strong to gale-force gusts are also possible in the following areas due to the surge of the northeast monsoon:

Saturday, February 7

• most of Luzon, Western Visayas, most of Negros Island Region, Zamboanga del Norte

Sunday, February 8

• most of Luzon, Aklan, Antique

Monday, February 9

• most of Luzon, Northern Samar, northern part of Eastern Samar, northern part of Samar, Biliran, northern part of Cebu, Negros Occidental, Western Visayas

Moderate to very rough sea conditions may also persist on Saturday.

Up to very rough seas (travel is risky for all vessels)

• Seaboards of Batanes – waves up to 5 meters high
• Northern seaboard of Babuyan Islands – waves up to 4.5 meters high

Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea)

• Remaining seaboards of Babuyan Islands; seaboards of Ilocos Norte – waves up to 4 meters high
• Seaboards of Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, and northern Quezon; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands – waves up to 3 meters high

Up to moderate seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible)

• Remaining seaboards of Ilocos Region; northern seaboards of Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur; northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes and Northern Samar; eastern seaboards of Albay, Sorsogon, Eastern Samar, Dinagat Islands, Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental – waves up to 2.5 meters high
• Eastern seaboard of Davao Occidental – waves up to 2 meters high

Basyang was the Philippines’ second tropical cyclone for 2026, after Tropical Storm Ada (Nokaen) in January. PAGASA previously estimated there would be up to one tropical cyclone in February. – Rappler.com