'Basyang' death toll rises to 8 — OCD

The death toll in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone “Basyang” has climbed to eight, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported early Saturday, as authorities continued to validate reports of other fatalities linked to landslides and drowning across Northern Mindanao (Region 10) and Caraga (Region 13).

- By MARTIN SADONGDONG, ELLALYN DE VERA RUIZ, and GLAZYL MASCULINO

COMPLETE HAVOC – A car submerged in flood and mud, and a sports utility vehicle destroyed by a fallen tree provide a ghastly look at the gravity of the devastation caused by Tropical Depression Basyang in Barangay Mahayahay, Iligan City.

(Photo courtesy of Philippine Information Agency)

In its update as of 12:00 a.m., the OCD said three deaths were reported in Iligan City by Mayor Frederick Siao, but the cause was still being verified as of press time.

“We are on top of the situation. In the case of Barangay Mahayahay, the residents have been given advice to evacuate days ahead. But sad to say, some of them refused to leave their homes,” Siao said.

The OCD also logged one death by drowning in Agusan del Norte.

Earlier, a family of four — including a couple, a 13-year-old, and an 11-month-old child — died in a landslide in Barangay Agusan, Cagayan de Oro City.

In Iligan City, radio broadcaster Creselyn Baterna Velasco died of cardiac arrest after her apartment was flooded.

OCD deputy spokesperson Diego Mariano said all the reported fatalities were still "for validation."

No more wind signals up

"Basyang (Penha)" has weakened into a low-pressure area (LPA) while moving westward over the Sulu Sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Saturday, Feb. 7.

PAGASA weather specialist Leanne Loreto said the cyclone weakened at 2 a.m. due to unfavorable environmental conditions and after repeated interactions with land in Mindanao and the Visayas, which disrupted its structure.

As of 4 a.m., the center of the LPA was estimated at 105 kilometers southeast of Cuyo, Palawan, moving westward at 25 kilometers per hour.

No tropical cyclone wind signal is currently hoisted.