At least eight people have died and more than 64,000 have been displaced after Tropical Storm Basyang (internationally named Penha) triggered severe flooding, landslides, and widespread disruption across parts of the Philippines, authorities and local media reported on Saturday.
In Cagayan de Oro City, four members of the same family were killed when a landslide struck their home, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Four additional fatalities were confirmed in Iligan City and Agusan del Norte province.
The storm caused heavy flooding across multiple regions, including Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, and Caraga. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported that over 64,000 people were affected, with 16,528 families (approximately 64,000 individuals) relocated to 480 evacuation centers. Many others sought shelter with relatives or in alternative locations.
The state weather agency, PAGASA, confirmed that Basyang weakened into a low-pressure area early Saturday after making five landfalls over Mindanao and the Visayas.
The storm also severely disrupted air travel. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported that 32 domestic and international flights were canceled since Thursday due to unsafe weather conditions, leaving 7,737 passengers stranded at various airports.
Tropical Storm Basyang is the latest in a series of weather systems to impact the Philippines this season, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to frequent typhoons, heavy rainfall, and secondary hazards such as landslides and flash floods. Rescue and relief operations remain ongoing in the hardest-hit areas, with authorities urging residents to stay vigilant for possible after-effects including rising river levels and additional landslides.
