Satellite image of Tropical Depression Verbena (Courtesy of PAGASA)
Tropical Depression Verbena moved toward the Negros Island Region after making three landfalls in Caraga and Central Visayas, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
PAGASA recorded Verbena’s landfalls in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 24; in Jagna, Bohol at 11:10 p.m. on Nov. 24; and in Talisay, Cebu at 2:40 a.m. on Nov. 25.
As of 4 a.m. Tuesday, the center of the tropical depression was estimated over the coastal waters of Pinamungahan, Cebu.
It maintained maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph, while moving northwest at 25 kph.
PAGASA said Verbena will continue moving west-northwest across the Visayas and the northern portion of Palawan within the day before emerging over the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday morning, Nov. 26.
It is expected to turn westward, pass north of the Kalayaan Island Group, and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday morning, Nov. 27.
PAGASA also said Verbena is likely to remain a tropical depression while crossing the Visayas but may reach tropical storm category either before approaching northern Palawan or once over the West Philippine Sea.
It may peak at severe tropical storm strength over the sea north of the Kalayaan Islands.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains hoisted over Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, northern and central portions of Palawan, including the Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands, mainland Masbate (Balud, Mandaon, Milagros, Cawayan, Placer, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Uson, Masbate City, Mobo, Palanas, Aroroy, Cataingan, Baleno), Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, the northern portion of Surigao del Sur (Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, San Miguel, Tandag City, Tago), Agusan del Norte, the northeastern portion of Agusan del Sur (Sibagat), Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, the northern portion of Misamis Occidental (Sapang Dalaga, Calamba, Baliangao, Plaridel, Lopez Jaena, Oroquieta City, Aloran, Panaon, Jimenez, Concepcion), and the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte (Jose Dalman, Manukan, President Manuel A. Roxas, Katipunan, Dipolog City, Polanco, Piñan, Dapitan City, La Libertad, Sibutad, Rizal, Mutia).
PAGASA said minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within these areas under Signal No. 1.