Basyang strands thousands

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February 6, 2026 | 12:00am

Classes canceled as storm intensifies

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Storm Basyang has slightly intensified as it neared landfall in Mindanao, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.

PAGASA said Basyang was expected to make initial landfall in Surigao del Sur between last night and early today.

As of 5 p.m. yesterday, the center of the storm was spotted 150 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.

Basyang was moving west-northwest at 25 kilometers per hour, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 90 kph.

Wind Signal No. 2 was raised over several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao, while some parts of Luzon are under Signal No. 1.

PAGASA said the surge of the northeast monsoon will bring gale-force gusts in most parts of the Visayas and Mindanao as well as in Luzon.

State weather forecasters said Basyang may further intensify prior to its initial landfall and would weaken as it hits landmass, but will likely remain as a tropical storm.

Earlier, PAGASA said Basyang may weaken into a tropical depression tomorrow and will be downgraded to a low-pressure area by Sunday.

Vessels, travelers stranded

Meanwhile, up to 3,865 people were stranded in 39 ports yesterday after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) stopped all sea vessels from sailing in preparation for Basyang.

The PCG said 1,127 rolling cargoes, 79 vessels and a motorized boat were stranded in various ports, while 111 vessels and 21 boats were taking shelter from the storm.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines yesterday canceled eight flights to Siargao, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

The CAAP said among the canceled flights were the Cebu-Siargao-Cebu, Clark-Siargao-Cebu and Manila-Siargao-Manila.

In Northern Mindanao, at least 966 passengers and four vessels were stranded at two ports.

Southern Visayas recorded 877 passengers, 261 rolling cargoes and 17 vessels stranded in at least seven ports.

Western Visayas reported 790 stranded passengers and 170 rolling cargoes, while Central Visayas logged 429 passengers, 292 rolling cargoes, 46 vessels and one motorized boat stalled at 13 ports.

Similar situations were observed in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Northeastern and Southwestern Mindanao, the PCG said.

Classes suspended

Classes were suspended in 18 local government units (LGUs) in Negros Island Region (NIR), whose three provinces were among areas placed under Signal No. 1.

Donato Sermeno III, chief of the Office of Civil Defense-NIR, advised LGUs to implement preemptive evacuations, particularly in low-lying areas, as heavy rainfall is expected across the region.

More than 150 evacuation sites with sleeping areas, clean water stations and sanitation facilities have been prepared for the evacuees.

In Cagayan de Oro City, Mayor Rolando Uy suspended classes from kindergarten to high school until today as Basyang threatens areas in Northern Mindanao.

Misamis Oriental including Cagayan de Oro City are under Wind Signal No. 2.

Gov. Juliette Uy suspended classes at all levels to ensure safety of students and school personnel. –  Bella Cariaso, Gerry Lee Gorit