Local officials in Tubay, Agusan del Norte carried out preemptive evacuations on Thursday (Feb. 5, 2026) for residents living in identified high-risk areas. Photo courtesy of Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Tubay.
Local government units in several areas of the Caraga Region suspended classes and work on Thursday as Tropical Storm Basyang moved closer to eastern Mindanao.
As of 2 p.m., the center of Basyang was located As of 2 p.m., the center of Basyang was located 230 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur packing sustained winds of 65 km/h near the center,
and gustiness of up to 80 km/h.
According to Pagasa, Basyang is expected to make landfall over Surigao del Sur between Thursday evening and early Friday.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was raised over southern Surigao del Norte, including the Siargao and Bucas Grande Islands, Surigao del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and the northern and eastern portions of Agusan del Sur, while the Dinagat Islands and the rest of Surigao del Norte remained under Signal No. 1.
In Tandag City, Surigao del Sur, Mayor Roxanne Pimentel ordered the forced evacuation of residents in coastal, low-lying, and landslide-prone areas, citing risks of flooding, landslides, storm surge, and hazardous sea conditions.
Work was suspended in public and private establishments in Tandag, except for essential services, with similar suspensions declared in the Surigao del Sur towns of San Miguel, Hinatuan, San Agustin, and Cantilan.
The provincial government of Agusan del Norte suspended work in government offices effective noon, while authorities in Tubay town conducted preemptive evacuations of residents in high-risk areas.
Butuan City raised a red alert status and suspended work in government offices, as government work and classes were also suspended in Agusan del Sur and the Dinagat Islands, while sea travel across the region remained halted.