Signal No. 1 up in 10 areas as Verbena approaches Cuyo Islands

Signal No. 1 was hoisted in 10 areas in Luzon and in the Visayas as Tropical Depression Verbena approaches Cuyo Islands, the state weather bureau PAGASA said. 

According to the 5 p.m. weather bulletin, the following areas are under Signal No. 1: 

Luzon 

• Occidental Mindoro
• Oriental Mindoro
• Romblon
• the northern and central portions of Palawan (Araceli, Taytay, El Nido, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa City) including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands

Visayas 

• Antique
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Iloilo
• Guimaras
• the western portion of Negros Occidental (City of Himamaylan, Binalbagan, Isabela, Hinigaran, Pontevedra, La Carlota City, Moises Padilla, La Castellana, Valladolid, San Enrique, Bago City, Pulupandan, Bacolod City, City of Talisay, Silay City, Enrique B. Magalona, City of Victorias, Manapla, Murcia, Ilog, City of Kabankalan, Cauayan, City of Sipalay, Candoni, Hinoba-An)

PAGASA said that Verbena was last monitored over the coastal waters of Magsaysay, Palawan. It has maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 70 kilometers per hour. 

Verbena is also moving westward at 35 kilometers per hour, PAGASA added. 

State meteorologists said that Verbena may make landfall over the northern portion of Palawan tonight. 

“Verbena will move west-northwestward over the Sulu Sea, pass near or over the Cuyo Islands this afternoon before making landfall over the northern portion of Palawan tonight,” said PAGASA. 

“It will then emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow (26 November) early morning, continue moving west northwestward, before turning more west southwestward on Thursday (27 November). VERBENA will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday early morning.” 

PAGASA said that Verbena may reach the tropical storm category near the northern portion of Palawan in the next 12 hours. It may also further intensify on late Thursday or early Friday. –NB, GMA Integrated News