MANILA – Typhoon Bising (international name Surigae) is moving away from southern Luzon and the Visayas but continues to fan the risk for flooding and rain-induced landslides particularly in the eastern portions of these areas.
"Such risk won't ease immediately," said Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) hydrologist Edgar dela Cruz on Tuesday.
"Bising" can still bring rain that may trigger flooding and landslides so communities in southern Luzon's Region V (Bicol) and Quezon province, as well as the Visayas' Region VIII (Eastern Visayas) must prepare accordingly, he noted.
Dela Cruz said previous rain brought about by "Bising" already saturated such areas, leaving these hardly able to absorb more rain so flooding is still possible there.
Runoff from "Bising" rain continues to flow into waterways causing water in these channels to rise and possibly overflow and flood nearby locations, he continued.
"Since the areas are saturated already, mere light rain can set off landslides there," he said further.
"Bising" continues to move over the waters east of the country and is unlikely to make landfall while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility.
PAGASA weather forecaster Grace Castañeda said "Bising" covers a wide area and can still bring rain to southern Luzon and Eastern Visayas while moving away from these locations.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is possible on Wednesday (April 21) in eastern sections of Bicol and Quezon, she noted.
She also said Eastern Visayas may still experience moderate rainfall.
According to PAGASA, several waterways in Bicol, Quezon and Eastern Visayas risk overflowing due to rain brought about by "Bising".
Waterways in Bicol are Camarines Sur province's Lower Kilbay Catabangan, Ragay, Tinalmud, Tambang and Lagonoy; Camarines Norte province's Labo and Daet Basud; Catanduanes province's Cabuyan, Bato and Pajo; Albay province's Guinale and Upper Donsol; Masbate province's Lanang, Mapayawan, Mandaon, Asid, Malbug, Guiom, Nainday, Daraga, Nauco (Aguada) and Baleno as well as Sorsogon province's Lower Donsol, Ogod, Putiao, Cadacan, Banuang-Daan, Fabrica (Tugbugan) and Matnog.
PAGASA also noted that the Quezon waterways are Upper Umiray, Lower Bolbok (Lawaya), Malaking-Ilog, Iyam, Macalelon, Catanauan, Silongin Lagda, Pagsanjan, Yabahaan, Bigol, Guinhalinan, Vinas, Calauag, Pandanan, Sta. Lucia, Lugan Malaybalay, Maapon, Bucal (Lalangan), Lakayat, Tignoan, Agos, Anibawan (Polilio Island) and Upper Kilbay-Catabangan.
The Eastern Visayan waterways are Northern Samar province's Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mawo and Gamay; Leyte province's Sangputan, Palo, Solano (Quilot), Daguitan Marabang, Cadac-an, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbangahan, Pagsangahan and Binahaan; Eastern Samar province's Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorente, Balangiga and Sulat; Southern Leyte province's Bisay, Himbangan and Pandan; Samar province's Basey, Silanga, Calbiga and Jibatan as well as all rivers and tributaries in Biliran province, it added.
PAGASA forecast "Bising" to be 340 km east of Tuguegarao City in northern Luzon's Cagayan province by Wednesday morning (April 21). (PNA)
