News update storm signals as Tropical Storm Basyang
At least 24 areas were placed under storm signals as Tropical Storm Basyang (international code name Conson) intensified anew Tuesday and threatened to make landfall over northern Aurora on Wednesday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Basyang may stay in Philippine territory until at least Friday.
"Isabela, Aurora, Quirino, Polillo Island, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes will experience stormy weather. The rest of Northern and Central Luzon will have rains and gusty winds. The rest of the country will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms," it said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.
PAGASA director Prisco Nilo said the storm may make landfall over the Isabela-Aurora area "between midnight and 2 a.m. Wednesday."
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Nilo also hinted that should Basyang intensify, storm warnings may be upgraded in some areas to Signal No. 3, while Metro Manila may be placed under Signal No. 1, before noon Tuesday.
When asked on a dzBB interview if the cyclone would bring heavy rains, Nilo said, "Maaring significant ang dami ng ulan na dulot nito (It may bring much rains to the affected areas)."
Citing present data, he said Basyang may leave at noon of Friday toward southern China.
Areas placed under Storm Signal No. 2 as of 5 a.m. were Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Polillo Island, Aurora, Quirino, and Isabela.
Under Storm Signal No. 1 are Camarines Sur, Albay, Quezon, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, Mt. Province, Pangasinan, La Union, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Kalinga, and Cagayan.
PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Signals 1 and 2 to take precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides.
As of 4 a.m., PAGASA said Basyang was 190 km east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes, packing maximum sustained winds of 115 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 145 kph.
It was moving west at 22 kph and is expected to make landfall over Northern Aurora Wednesday morning.
By Thursday morning it is expected to be 245 km west-northwest of Laoag City. By Friday morning it is expected to be 590 km northwest of Laoag City.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said moderate to strong winds blowing from the Northeast to Northwest will prevail over rest of Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.
Elsewhere, winds will be moderate coming from the West to Southwest with moderate seas.
DSWD prepositions relief assistance
Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazon Soliman said relief goods and cash are ready for mobilization for areas that are likely to be affected by the cyclone.
"Lahat na regional offices at NCR meron nang cash na hawak sila, mga P300,000 to P500,000, at may naka-pack na goods sa aming warehouses na handang ipamimigay kung kakailanganin (All regional offices and Metro Manila have cash between P300,000 and P500,000 each. Relief goods have been packed in our warehouses and are ready for distribution)," Soliman said in an interview on dzBB.
On the other hand, the Philippine Coast Guard said at least 41 passengers, mostly in Tabaco in Bicol, are stranded as of Tuesday morning.
Coast Guard commandant Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo placed Coast Guard units in the areas under storm signals on heightened alert.
"Kahapon pa lang nasa heightened alert ang Coast Guard district na sakop ng bagyo (We have placed the Coast Guard districts affected by 'Basyang' on heightened alert since Monday)," he said on dzBB.
Tamayo also reminded ships, particularly weighing less than 1,000 tons, against sailing in areas under Signal No. 1.
He also reiterated all ships are not allowed to sail in waters in areas under Storm Signal No. 2. LBG
