‘Basyang’ weakens to tropical depression after landfall

‘Basyang” rainfall intensity. Satellite image from Pagasa.

Basyang (international name Sanba) has weakened into a tropical depression after its landfall over Surigao del Sur, the state weather bureau said midday Tuesday.

The tropical cyclone blew winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 75 kph, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said in its 11 a.m. update.

Basyang was last spotted in the vicinity of Cantilan, Surigao del Sur, with a speed of 25 kph west northwest. It made landfall over Cortes, Surigao del Sur at 9:15 a.m.

Signal No. 1 was raised over Palawan including Calamian, Cuyo groups of islands, Aklan, Capiz, Antique, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Bohol, Cebu, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, southern section of Samar, and southern section of Eastern Samar.

Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, northern section of Bukidnon, Lanao del Norte, northern section of Lanao del Sur, Misamis Occidental, and northern section of Zamboanga del Norte were also under Signal No. 1.

Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail in the next 24 hours over Palawan, Visayas, Caraga, Northern Mindanao and Zamboanga Peninsula, Pagasa said.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains is expected over Bicol Region and the rest of Mimaropa and Mindanao.  /muf