Tropical depression ‘Verbena’ maintained its strength Monday morning as it approached the Caraga region, where it is likely to make a landfall within the day, prompting the state weather bureau to raise tropical cyclone wind signal no. 1 in parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
In its 11:00 a.m. weather bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned of heavy rainfall outlook in the affected areas due to the effects of the latest cyclone combined with the prevailing shear line.
‘Verbena’ was last tracked at 205 kilometers east southeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte. It was moving westward at 15 km per hour (kph) with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gusts of up to 55 kph.
PAGASA said the cyclone will move generally west northwestward throughout its passage across the central portion of the country between today and tomorrow (25 November). ‘Verbena’ is forecast to make landfall over Caraga Region this afternoon or evening.
Thereafter, the storm will accelerate across Visayas and the northern portion of Palawan between Monday night and Tuesday evening before emerging over the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday morning. It is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Thursday.
“’Verbena’ may slightly intensify prior to landfall but will likely cross Visayas as a tropical depression. It may reach tropical storm category either before reaching northern Palawan or once over the West Philippine Sea,” PAGASA noted.
As of this posting, wind signal no. 1 has been raised in the affected areas across major island groups nationwide:
LUZON
Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, the northern portion of Palawan (Araceli, Taytay, El Nido, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente) including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands, and mainland Masbate Balud, Mandaon, Milagros, Cawayan, Placer, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Uson, Dimasalang, City of Masbate, Mobo, Palanas, Aroroy, Cataingan, Baleno)
VISAYAS
Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte
MINDANAO
Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, San Miguel, City of Tandag, Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait, Marihatag, Lianga, Barobo, San Agustin), Agusan del Norte, the northern portion of Agusan del Sur (Sibagat, Prosperidad, City of Bayugan, Esperanza), Camiguin, the eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Binuangan, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Lagonglong, Balingasag, Claveria, Jasaan)
