The Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS) warned on Friday, January 31, 2014 that up to 11.5 million people in various areas in Mindanao and Visayas could be affected by storm surges due to Bagyong Basyang.
GDACS stated that low lying areas with huge populations are most vulnerable to storm surges. The tropical storm Basyang (Kajiki) might affect millions of people in the Visayas alone.
Bagyong Basyong (Photo: GDACS)
GDACS is a project of the United Nations, the European Commission, and disaster managers worldwide. The group warned that low-lying areas in Central, Western, and Eastern Visayas as well as Mindanao are most vulnerable particularly those in the tropical cyclone Basyang’s path. The group also issued a warning before the super typhoon Yolanda hit the Visayas last year.
According to GDACS report as posted on ABS-CBN News, some low-lying areas in the path of Bagyong Basyang are warned to and must be alert at all times as they are vulnerable to storm surges.
Listed below are areas with large populations that could probably experience Storm Surges:
Kabankalan
Argao
Tanjay
Mambajao
Silay
San Jose
Talisay
Iloilo
Danao
Cebu
Calamba
Dumaguete
Bacolod
Meanwhile the Philippine weather bureau PAGASA raised an Orange Alert for Rain being carried by Bagyong Basyang, the agency also issued a similar warning on storm surges that can be generated by Basyang but did not give specific details of the areas affected. PAGASA stated that people living in areas affected by Storm Signal No. 2 are all alerted with possible storm surges.
GDACS added further that the Tropical Cyclone Basyang will bring up to 25mm per hour rainfall, with medium likelihood for flash floods. For more information about GDACS just visit their official website.
Storm Signals No. 1 & No. 2 are already raised by PAGASA in different parts of the Visayas and Mindanao Region.