By Chito A. Chavez
Public storm warning signals have been raised in 25 areas as tropical storm “Basyang” (international name “Sanba”) continues to approach Mindanao.
Public storm signal No. 2 was raised in Surigao del Sur while storm signal No. 1 was hoisted in the southern portion of Samar, southern portion of Eastern Samar, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, Siquijor, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Camiguin, Compostela Valley, Davao Oriental, Davao del Norte, Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Bukidnon, northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte, and northern portion of Zamboanga del Sur.
Storm signal No. 1 may also be raised in Iloilo and Guimaras.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration said Basyang is expected to make landfall in Caraga today.
As of 1 p.m. yesterday, Basyang was spotted based on all available data at 570 kilometers east-southeast of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur, with maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 80 kph, forecast to move west-northwest at 22 kph.
This morning, Basyang is 55 kms east of Hinatuan, and 165 kms west-southwest of Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental tomorrow morning.