CEBU CITY (Updated) -- Tropical Depression Basyang entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) Thursday evening, the state weather bureau reported.
Basyang was estimated at 969 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, the 10 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) stated.
With its location, at least 10 areas in the country were placed under Public Storm Warning Signal Number 1. These areas include Bohol and Southern Leyte in the Visayas, and Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Siargao Island, northern part of Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Camiguin Island, Dinagat Province and Misamis Oriental in Mindanao.
The Pagasa said Basyang was packing maximum winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center as of 10 p.m. Thursday. It was forecast to move west at 30 kph.
Residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under signal number 1 were alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides, as Basyang is expected to make landfall over Surigao provinces late Friday evening or early Saturday morning, Pagasa said.
Since there will be downpour, Labella said flooding, particularly in flood-prone areas of the city, are expected. Barangays identified as flood-prone are Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo and Bonbon.
Labella also warned the residents in the 16 coastal barangays of the city against flooding, since the tide is high on Friday night. High tide is expected to reach 1.83 meters, the Pagasa said.
Aside from flooding, Labella warned residents in landslide-prone areas to be vigilant as the rains may cause soil movements.
Barangays identified as landslide-prone are Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan, Sapangdaku, Adlaon and Kalunasan.
Both the disaster risk reduction councils in Misamis Oriental province and Cagayan de Oro City are also on alert monitoring status.
Andrew Bascon, who heads the rescue team of Misamis Oriental, told Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro that the rescue team is stationed in Gingoog City beginning Thursday evening since the province’s flood and landslide prone areas proliferate in the municipalities of Balingasag to Gingoog.
Allan Porcadilla, administrative and training officer of Cagayan de Oro City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC), said their response teams are at bay in case unlikely situations would arise.
As the rain starts, the CDRRMC has placed ready mechanisms to check the water levels in rivers in the city to warn residents.
Porcadilla assured the Automatic Flashflood Alarm System of the CDRRMC is functioning well.
Pagasa said the tropical depression, which is expected to be outside PAR by Sunday evening, will bring five to 15 millimeters of rain per hour within its 300 kilometers diameter. (LMY/Sunnex/Sun.Star Cebu/Sun.Star Cagayan de Oro)