Pagasa: Typhoon Bising intensifies, Signal No. 1 in parts of E. Visayas, Mindanao

Satellite image/Himawari IR1 via Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Parts of Eastern Visayas and Mindanao  have been placed under a Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 as state meteorologists observed Typhoon Bising’s  rapid intensification Friday night.

According to the latest bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Bising (international name: Surigae) was last spotted 790 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

Bising is packing maximum sustained winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 180 kph — up from just 130 kph and 160 kph, respectively, on Friday afternoon.

Hence, Pagasa has decided to place the following areas under Signal No. 1. (Wind speed of 30 to 60 kph expected within the next 36 hours)

Visayas:

• Eastern Samar
• eastern portion of Northern Samar (Las Navas, Catubig, Laoang, Palapag, Mapanas, Gamay, Lapinig)
• central and southern portions of Samar (Marabut, Basey, Santa Rita, Villareal, Talalora, Daram, Pinabacdao, Zumarraga, Calbiga, San Sebastian, Hinabangan, Paranas, Motiong, Jiabong, Catbalogan City, Tarangnan, San Jorge, Pagsanghan, Gandara, Matuguinao, San Jose de Buan)
• eastern portion of Leyte (Abuyog, Mahaplag, Javier, Macarthur, Mayorga, La Paz, Dulag, Julita, Burauen, Tolosa, Tanauan, Tabontabon, Dagami, Pastrana, Palo, Jaro, Alangalang, Santa Fe, Tacloban City, Babatngon, San Miguel, Barugo, Tunga)
• eastern portion of Southern Leyte (Sogod, Silago, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Anahawan, San Juan, Saint Bernard, Libagon, Liloan, San Ricardo, Pintuyan, San Francisco)

 Mindanao:

• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte (including Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands)
• Surigao del Sur

Moderate, heavy to at times intense rains are expected in Eastern Visayas and Camotes Islands, which Pagasa said may cause flashfloods and landslides in vulnerable areas.

Pagasa said that Bising is moving west northwest at 15 kph, and is forecast to move to within 380 kilometers east of Guiuan, Eastern Samar by Saturday evening.

After 24 hours or by Sunday evening, it would be around 335 kilometers east of Legazpi City in Albay. 

Instead of recurving back to the Pacific Ocean, however, Pagasa is now expecting Bising to move north or northeast, over the eastern portion of the Philippine Sea.

On Monday evening, Pagasa said the weather disturbance would be around 285 kilometers northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, or 545 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.   

Pagasa said Bising is not likely to make landfall, but the northeastern parts of the Bicol region, and even Cordillera Administrative Region and Cagayan Valley are inside the cone of uncertainty — an indicator that there is a chance for Bising to hit these areas.

Likewise, the state weather bureau said that raising TCWS No. 2 remains a possibility especially as Bising’s diameter appears wide, which means that the trough can inflict damage even if the typhoon does not make landfall.

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