• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Tropical Storm Basyang may hit Negros Island Region by Friday (Feb. 6), based on the weather forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
In an advisory, Pagasa said heavy rains are expected over many parts in Visayas and Mindanao from Wednesday afternoon through the weekend, and widespread and serious flooding and landslides are likely in many areas.
As of 4 p.m. on Tuesday (Feb. 3), it was located 1,075 km. east of northeastern Mindanao. It packs winds of 55 kph with gustiness up to 70 kph. The disturbance is moving northwestward slowly.
Local disaster councils in Negros Occidental are now on alert for the incoming weather disturbance.
Pagasa weather specialist John Manalo said in a public briefing that Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 may be hoisted as early as Wednesday afternoon, noting the 36-hour lead time before the actual winds may be experienced in specific locations.
The shear line induced rains last weekend affected 6,249 families, composed of 18,547 individuals in 35 barangays of the towns of E.B. Magalona, Calatrava, and Toboso as well as the cities of Escalante, Cadiz, Talisay and Sagay in northern Negros.
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson said the evacuated families have already returned home, except for some families in Sagay.
Lacson said the provincial government is sending 600 family food packs to the affected families in Sagay, who have already received initial help from the local government unit.
“We are ready to extend more help, if needed,” the governor said.
Estimated damage to agricultural crops and livestock was reported at P6.5 million, affecting 125 farmers. | GB
