'Basyang' brought rare 100-year rain to northern Mindanao — PAGASA
PAGASA
Tropical Storm Basyang (Penha) brought extremely rare rainfall to Northern Mindanao on Feb. 6, with amounts so heavy they are expected to occur only once in a century, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
The downpour overwhelmed rivers and drainage systems, causing severe flooding in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, and other low-lying areas in the Visayas.
“The rainfall amounts exceeded the 100-year return period in the Northern Mindanao area. This means that in any given year, there is a one percent chance that this kind of extreme rainfall event—or worse—could occur,” PAGASA explained.
Basyang made five landfalls as it crossed the Philippines. First over Bayabas, Surigao del Sur at 11:50 p.m. on Feb. 5; then in Jagna, Bohol at 11 a.m. on Feb. 6; Dauis, Bohol at 4 p.m. the same day; Alcoy, Cebu at 7:50 p.m.; and Ayungon, Negros Oriental at 9 p.m.
Based on 24-hour rainfall data from ground-based stations recorded on Feb. 6, PAGASA said heavy rainfall was recorded across several stations in Iligan City, including Doroteo D. Lloren (383 millimeters), Juan Tabal (361 millimeters), Hindang (354.5 millimeters), Dulag (253 millimeters), Rogongan (145.5 millimeters), Iligan (144.5 millimeters), and the Agus 6 Hydroelectric Power Plant (130.5 millimeters).
In nearby Marawi City, the Banggolo Bridge station measured 280.5 millimeters of rainfall.
The Office of Civil Defense reported that the death toll from Tropical Storm Basyang rose to 12 as of Feb. 8.
Northern Mindanao recorded the highest number of deaths, with nine fatalities.