Some parts of the country are now preparing for the expected impact of Tropical Storm Basyang.
Coastal communities in the southern portions of Panay have been advised to conduct preemptive evacuations ahead of the forecast impact of the storm.
Civil Defense Regional Director Raul Fernandez, chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, made the call during a virtual weather update on Thursday, urging residents to remain vigilant.
“Let us all expect the worst and prepare accordingly,” Fernandez said, as Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique.
Fernandez said conditions would be critical due to limited visibility and advised local disaster councils to prepare generator sets in case of power interruptions, as well as fuel and relief goods.
PAGASA Iloilo Radar Station official Rolly Cuenca said Basyang is expected to reach the tip of Negros Occidental by Friday evening.
Forecasts showed that coastal areas in southern Iloilo and Antique remain at risk of storm surge and strong waves if Basyang maintains tropical storm strength.
Data from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau indicated that 630 barangays in 38 local government units across Panay are susceptible to rain-induced landslides and flooding.
Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Western Visayas said its Predictive Analytics for Humanitarian Response model showed that 26 LGUs may receive 100 to 150 millimeters of rainfall over the next 72 hours, potentially affecting up to 93,011 families or 465,077 individuals.
The agency said more than 132,000 family food packs and other relief items have been prepositioned across the region.
