Basyang now over Negros Oriental; 14 areas under Signal No. 1

Only 14 areas remain under Signal No. 1 as Tropical Depression Basyang continues to weaken over Negros Oriental on Friday night.

According to PAGASA’s 11 p.m. bulletin, Basyang was last located within the vicinity of Ayungon, Negros Oriental with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 55 km/h.

The following areas are under Signal No. 1:

• Cuyo
• Cagayancillo Islands
• The western portion of Leyte (San Isidro, Calubian, Leyte, Tabango, Villaba, Matag-Ob, Kananga, Palompon, Isabel, Merida, Ormoc City, Albuera, Burauen, City of Baybay, Inopacan, Hindang, Hilongos, Bato, Matalom)
• The western portion of Southern Leyte (City of Maasin, Macrohon)
• Bohol
• Cebu
• Siquijor
• Negros Oriental
• Negros Occidental
• Guimaras
• Iloilo
• Capiz
• Aklan
• Antique

“Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds are less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction,” PAGASA said.

It said that the surge of the Northeast Monsoon may cause strong to gale-force gusts over most of Luzon, Western Visayas, most of Negros Island Region, and Zamboanga del Norte on Saturday and most of Luzon and Western Visayas on Sunday. 

The tropical cyclone is predicted to continue moving generally west northwestward and weaken to a low pressure area in the next 12 hours.

Four people were reported dead in a landslide in Cagayan de Oro City while Iligan City was placed under a state of calamity amid the onslaught of Basyang.

Houses in Barangay San Antonio, Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, were flooded, forcing the locals to seek shelter in the covered court and barangay health stations.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said that Runway 07/25 at Camiguin Airport would be temporarily closed due to flooding brought on by an overflowing creek. The flood later subsided. —VBL, GMA Integrated News