THE tropical depression spotted east of Mindanao has intensified and is expected to enter the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) tonight, February 11.
It will be named "Basyang" and may intensify into a tropical storm before landfall, said state weather specialist Meno Mendoza in the 4 a.m. advisory posted on the Facebook page of the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
It is expected to make landfall over northern Mindanao and the southern part of the Visayas on Monday afternoon or evening, February 12.
In its advisory as of 11 a.m. Sunday, Pagasa said the tropical depression has no direct effect yet on any part of the country.
It has, however, intensified, with winds now reaching 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, from 45 kph as of 3 a.m., and gustiness of up to 65 kph.
It has also picked up speed and is now moving west northwest at 27 kph from 25 kph as of 3 a.m. Sunday.
Pagasa said maritime operations along the east coast of the Visayas and Mindanao are expected to be disrupted Sunday night, once a Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal is raised.
As of 10 a.m. Sunday, Pagasa said the tropical depression was spotted about 1,200 kilometers east of Mindanao.
It is forecast to be located 550 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur Monday morning, February 12, and will be in the vicinity of Butuan City by Tuesday morning, February 13. (MVI/SunStar Philippines)