Thousands of families across the country are reeling from the combined effects of a shear line and Tropical Cyclone Verbena, which unleashed heavy rains, severe flooding, and widespread disruptions beginning November 24, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.
More than 46,000 people were affected, with 15,363 families dealing with flooded homes, impassable roads, and sudden evacuations.
At least 1,966 individuals are taking shelter in 19 evacuation centers, many of them in Caraga, while six houses were reported totally damaged in Butuan City.
The weather disturbance has also triggered class and work suspensions in 195 and 45 areas, respectively.
As of Tuesday, Verbena’s center was located 35 kilometers west of Cuyo, Palawan, moving west at 25 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gusts up to 70 km/h. Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over parts of Mindoro, Romblon, Palawan—including the Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands, along with Antique and portions of Aklan. Verbena is forecast to cross the Sulu Sea and make landfall in northern Palawan Tuesday night before emerging over the West Philippine Sea early Wednesday.
It may intensify into a tropical storm within 6 to 12 hours, with further strengthening expected.
Meanwhile, in Negros Occidental, communities still recovering from Typhoon Tino and Verbena’s earlier onslaught were hit by massive floods after hours of relentless rainfall from Monday morning until early Tuesday.
Despite being under Signal No. 1, Bacolod City saw knee- to hip-deep waters in several barangays, including Purok Mars in Singcang, where floods nearly reached rooftops, and Purok Carvic in Mandalagan, where raging waters forced hundreds to flee to higher ground. Major roads, including the stretch of Lacson Street and areas around SM City, were described by residents as resembling “Waterworld.”
The city’s disaster response office launched rescue and relief operations Tuesday morning, while Negros Power worked to restore feeders that tripped during the flooding.
The Council of Concerned Citizens (C3) criticized local officials, saying the situation reports revealed failures in flood-control and drainage projects. Initial reports from provincial disaster units showed that southern Negros towns—including Bago, La Castellana, Hinigaran, Isabela, Himamaylan, Kabankalan, Sipalay, as well as Canlaon, Guihulngan, and Vallehermoso in Negros Oriental—also endured widespread flooding.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) intensified its disaster response operations as Verbena made landfall over Surigao del Sur in Caraga.
Acting PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said disaster response units have been activated and deployed in areas under Signal No. 1, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive through DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla to prioritize public safety.
Nartatez urged residents to stay indoors, avoid flood-prone areas, monitor official weather bulletins, prepare emergency kits, and avoid sharing or believing unverified information.
