Manila, February 6 — At least 32 flights were cancelled on Friday because of Tropical Storm Basyang, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines told state media, leaving hundreds of travellers stranded. The cancellations affected 7,737 passengers, the Philippine News Agency reported (ANI).
PAGASA said Basyang had weakened into a tropical depression by 11 a.m. local time, with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the centre and gusts up to 70 kph. The weather bureau warned of heavy rainfall across the country and said the system is expected to degenerate into a low-pressure area by Saturday.
Flooding inundated low-lying communities, forcing families in neighbourhoods such as Barangay Mahayahay to seek shelter on upper floors or move to evacuation centres. In Iligan city rising waters prompted the temporary closure of a national highway bridge; floodwaters peaked at about three feet and swept away parked vehicles.
The Philippines Coast Guard suspended sea travel on Thursday, stranding at least 130 passengers in Southern Leyte. In Iloilo province, temporary cancellations of all sea trips left 643 passengers, 326 rolling cargoes and three vessels stranded in ports as of Friday morning.
Authorities continued evacuating people in vulnerable low-lying areas to higher ground as rains persisted.
