Verbena now a typhoon

Tropical Cyclone Verbena outside the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) intensified into a typhoon Thursday morning, according to state weather bureau PAGASA.

“As of 8:00 a.m. today, Severe Tropical Storm ‘Koto’ (formerly ‘Verbena’) has intensified into a typhoon and is still being monitored outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR),” PAGASA said in an update.

“All are advised to monitor updates from DOST-PAGASA,” it added.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is in effect over Kalayaan Islands. Strong winds with minimal to minor threat to life and property are expected.

Verbena was last spotted 255 kilometers north of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan, packing maximum sustained winds of 140 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

The typhoon was moving west northwestward at 15 kph.

Two people were reported missing in Negros Island Region due to the impact of Verbena and the shearline, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Wednesday. 

A total of 275,458 people or 78,736 families were affected by the bad weather in Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Negros Island Region, Central Visayas, and Caraga. 

Of the total affected population, 48,450 people or 14,238 families were staying in evacuation centers while 34,377 people or 8,087 families were taking shelter in other places. 

Floods and landslides were reported. —VAL, GMA Integrated News