Basyang approaching

MANILA, Philippines - A new storm is expected to hit the Visayas and Mindanao this weekend, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

Forecaster Aldzar Aurelio said the tropical depression, which would be named “Basyang” once it enters the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR), was heading toward Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga peninsula, which were hit by Tropical Depression Agaton early this month.

Although it has yet to enter PAR, storm warning signal number 1 was raised over Surigao del Norte (including Siargao Island), Surigao del Sur, Dinagat provinces, Misamis Oriental and Southern Leyte.

As of 4 p.m., the center of the tropical depression was at 1,108 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur with maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center.

It was forecast to move westward at 30 kilometers per hour and expected to make landfall over Surigao provinces between 11 p.m. today and 2 a.m. tomorrow.

Aurelio said the weather disturbance was expected to enter PAR last night.

It could still intensify into a storm before making landfall, he said.

Residents in areas under storm signal are warned against possible flashfloods and landslides due to moderate to heavy rains.

Aurelio said moderate to heavy rains were also expected this weekend over the regions of Caraga, Davao, Mimaropa and Bicol. He advised the public to remain vigilant against storm surges.

He said the weather disturbance would move closer to Eastern Visayas and Surigao provinces tonight.

It will start to affect Central Visayas tomorrow morning and move towards Negros by nighttime.

By Sunday morning, the center of Basyang will move toward northern Palawan and exit to the West Philippine Sea in the evening.