Basyang may make landfall Feb. 5

TROPICAL Depression Basyang, which is threatening heavy rain, strong winds and hazardous seas across parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, is forecast to make landfall between Thursday evening and early Friday, the state weather bureau said on Wednesday.

The system is expected to bring periods of intense rainfall as it approaches land, with forecasters warning that flooding and rain-induced landslides remain possible even outside the projected landfall area and forecast confidence cone, according to the 5 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

Basyang is forecast to continue moving west for the next 36 hours. On its current track, the system may make landfall over eastern Mindanao between Thursday night and early Friday, cross the Visayas, and emerge over the Sulu Sea by Saturday.

Forecasters said Basyang could briefly intensify into a tropical storm before weakening over land and dissipating into a low-pressure area by Sunday.

Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect in areas along eastern Mindanao and parts of the Visayas, where residents may experience minimal-to-minor damage from strong winds.

Authorities said the highest warning likely during Basyang’s passage is Wind Signal No. 2, as the system interacts with the northeast monsoon. 

Coastal communities in Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, and Davao Oriental face a minimal to moderate risk of storm surge over the next 48 hours, with peak heights of up to 2 meters in low-lying and exposed areas.

A gale warning is in effect over the eastern seaboards of the Visayas and Mindanao, where seas could reach as high as 5.5 meters off Surigao del Sur and about 5 meters off the Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands. Eastern coasts of Samar, Dinagat Islands and northern Davao Oriental may see waves of up to 4.5 meters.

Sea travel is considered dangerous for all vessels in these waters, with authorities urging mariners to remain in port or seek shelter.

Rough to moderate seas are also forecast across much of the country’s eastern and northern seaboards, prompting advisories for small fishing boats and motorized bancas to avoid venturing out to sea. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana