Tropical storm “Basyang” (international name Conson) is gathering strength as it heads for a landfall on Isabela-Northern Aurora Tuesday night (July 13), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Monday.

Pagasa weather forecaster Aldczar Aurelio said ” Basyang” was spotted over the Pacific Ocean at 570 kilometers (km) east-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes at 10 a.m. on Monday.

Public storm warning signal no. 1 was hoisted over Aurora, Cagayan, and Isabela.

“Basyang” is now moving west-northwest at 22 kilometers per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness of 80 kph.

“The storm will possibly gather strength as it lingers over the Pacific Ocean,” Aurelio said.

It is expected at 220 km north-northeast of Virac, Catanduanes this morning (Tuesday), and will make a landfall over Isabela-Northern Aurora on Tuesday night.

Aurelio said Northern Luzon will experience cloudy skies with rainshowers and thunderstorms due to the storm.

He noted that the massive cloud area of “Basyang” will also bring rains over Central Luzon, which will contribute to the increase of the water level of Bulacan’s Angat Dam.

However, the rains will be insignificant to replenish the drying-up dam in Bulacan.

Meanwhile, the Visayas, Southern Luzon, and Metro Manila will experience mostly cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms, primarily due to the prevailing intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ).

The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to at times cloudy with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

The cyclone is expected to be 50 km east of Sinait, Ilocos Sur on Wednesday morning, and 320 km west northwest of Laoag City on Thursday morning.

Aurelio said “Basyang” will likely exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday, July 15

PAGASA warned residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under signal No. 1 against possible flashfloods and landslides.

The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned were also advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued by PAGASA.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Coast Guard warned seacraft about Basyang.

Admiral Wilfredo Tamayo, PCG commandant, said he already issued notice to mariners, particularly in the provinces of Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan, where public warning signal No.1 is currently raised.

Tamayo reminded the public, particularly the maritime sector, that vessels weighing 1000-gross tons and below are prohibited from sailing or leaving the port terminals until further notice. (With a report from John Carlo Cahinhinan)