13 Feb 2018 | 04:59 AM UTC
Philippines: Tropical Storm Sanba makes landfall February 13 /update 1
Tropical Storm Sanba (Basyang) makes landfall in Surigao del Sur province February 13; associated heavy rains, landslides, transportation disruptions, and power outages expected in the coming days
Event
Tropical Storm Sanba (known as "Basyang" in the Philippines) made landfall in Cortes (Surigao del Sur province) around 09:15 (local time) on Tuesday, February 13, and had since weakened into a tropical depression. As of 10:00 on Tuesday, Sanba was located near Cantilan (Surigao del Sur province), packing maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h (34 mph) and moving west-northwestward at 25 km/h (16 mph), according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Sciences Administration (PAGASA). As of Tuesday morning, at least 2700 people had reportedly been stranded at closed ports in the Visayas and Mindanao due to the storm, according to the Philippine Coast Guard.
Sanba is forecast to bring moderate to heavy rains to Palawan province, Caraga region, the Visayas, Northern Mindanao region, and the Zamboanga Peninsula region by or before Wednesday, February 14. Winds of 30-60 km/h (19-37 mph) are expected to affect Palawan and parts of the Visayas and Mindanao through Wednesday evening. Associated flooding and landslides, and consequent transportation disruptions and power outages are possible in the abovementioned affected areas in the coming hours and days before Sanba leaves the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday, February 15, or Friday, February 16.
Context
Typhoons and tropical storms regularly strike the Philippines during the monsoon season - which typically spans from November to April in the northeast, and from May to October in the southwest. On average, roughly 20 typhoons and tropical storms hit the country each year.
Advice
Individuals present in the affected areas of the Philippines are advised to monitor local weather reports, confirm travel reservations, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. Be prepared to leave immediately if an evacuation order is given.
Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult - and that floodwater may contain wastewater or chemical products; all items having come into contact with the water should be disinfected and all foodstuffs discarded.
