“Basyang” to bring heavy rains in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — Local authorities in Central Visayas brace for the entry of a weather disturbance that is feared to cross the country's landmass.

Recent weather analysis indicated that the projected track is seen to cross mainly the northern sections of Mindanao, said a local official from Mactan-based Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA),

PAGASA-Cebu officer-in-charge Alfredo Quiblat, Jr., however, said other forecasting models showed that the disturbance may deviate from its main track and traverse the southern sections of Visayas, including southern Cebu.

Since these scenarios are yet predictions, he said more accurate information as to its direction may be provided as it gets near the country’s landmass.

The disturbance, with international name Sanba, entered Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) last night and was given local name, “Basyang”.  This is the second tropical cyclone to enter PAR. It was categorized Tropical Storm (second-level classification).

Quiblat said there may be changes on its movement that may affect its track. But for now, greater probabilities are seen that it will cross areas in the northern sections of Mindanao following almost the same track of tropical cyclone Vinta last December 2017.

He said Basyang is expected to make its first landfall somewhere in the eastern part of Mindanao region on Monday evening and from there, it may cross the islands of Butuan, Agusan and Zamboanga.

On Tuesday morning, the disturbance is expected to be closer to Cebu province, especially to its southern boundaries, when it crosses the islands of Butuan and Agusan, he said.

While PAGASA Mactan station is closely monitoring its track and movement, Quiblat said one important factor that the weather bureau also has to monitor is its intensity.

He said Basyang is gaining strength and because of this, its area of influence widens as it intensifies more.

The entire Visayas is forecasted to be affected as Basyang may bring strong winds and heavy rains that might trigger flooding and landslide.

Rains may be felt in Cebu province starting Monday evening, said Quiblat.

He advised authorities and local officials to take precautionary measures such as activating their respective disaster management teams.

Last Friday, the Office of Civil Defense in Region 7 convened the members of the Regional Disaster Risk and Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) for an emergency response and preparedness meeting to plot the region’s preparations.

The Philippine Coast Guard also alerted all its districts and stations in the Visayas and northern Mindanao to get ready for the possible effects of the disturbance to the sea conditions. (FREEMAN)