Verbena nears Caraga; Signal No. 1 up over 27 areas

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 (TCWS) has been raised over 27 areas in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao as Tropical Depression Verbena moved closer to the Caraga Region on Monday morning, state weather bureau PAGASA said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said the following areas are under TCWS No. 1:

Luzon:

• Occidental Mindoro
• Oriental Mindoro
• Romblon
• The northern portion of Palawan (Araceli, Taytay, El Nido, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente), including the Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands
• Mainland Masbate (Balud, Mandaon, Milagros, Cawayan, Placer, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Uson, Dimasalang, Masbate City, Mobo, Palanas, Aroroy, Cataingan, Baleno)

Visayas:

• Antique
• Aklan
• Capiz
• Iloilo
• Guimaras
• Negros Occidental
• Negros Oriental
• Siquijor
• Cebu
• Bohol
• Samar
• Eastern Samar
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte

Mindanao:

• Dinagat Islands
• Surigao del Norte
• The northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, San Miguel, Tandag City, Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait, Marihatag, Lianga, Barobo, San Agustin)
• Agusan del Norte
• The northern portion of Agusan del Sur (Sibagat, Prosperidad, Bayugan City, Esperanza)
• Camiguin
• The eastern portion of Misamis Oriental (Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Binuangan, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Lagonglong, Balingasag, Claveria, Jasaan)

Verbena was last spotted 205 kilometers east-southeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 55 kph. It was moving westward at 15 kph.

“It is forecast to make landfall over the Caraga Region this afternoon or evening. Afterwards, it will accelerate across the Visayas and the northern portion of Palawan between tonight and tomorrow evening before emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday (26 November) morning,” PAGASA said.

“Verbena may slightly intensify prior to landfall but will likely cross the Visayas as a tropical depression. It may reach tropical storm category either before reaching northern Palawan or once over the West Philippine Sea," PAGASA said.

"Verbena may peak at severe tropical storm category in the middle of the West Philippine Sea,” it added.—MCG, GMA Integrated News