‘Basyang’ threatens southern Visayas

The tropical depression spotted east of Mindanao has intensified and was expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) last night.

It will be named “Basyang” and may intensify into a tropical storm before landfall, said state weather specialist Meno Mendoza in a 4 a.m. advisory posted on the Facebook page of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) yesterday.

It is expected to make landfall over northern Mindanao and the southern part of the Visayas this afternoon.

In its advisory as of 11 a.m. yesterday, Pagasa said the tropical depression has no direct effect yet on any part of the country. It has, however, intensified, with winds now reaching 55 kms. per hour (kph) near the center, from 45 kph as of 3 a.m., and gustiness of up to 65 kph.

It has also picked up speed and is now moving west northwest at 27 kph from 25 kph as of 3 a.m. Sunday.

Pagasa said maritime operations along the east coast of the Visayas and Mindanao were expected to be disrupted last night, once a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal is raised. As of 10 a.m. Sunday, Pagasa said the tropical depression was spotted about 1,200 kms. east of Mindanao. It is forecast to be located 550 kms. east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur today, and will be in the vicinity of Butuan City by Tuesday morning. /