Verbena seen to strengthen into tropical storm

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Verbena is expected to intensify into a tropical storm today as it moves across the coastal waters of the Cuyo Archipelago and a projected landfall in northern Palawan last night, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

In its 5 p.m. bulletin yesterday, PAGASA said the cyclone’s center was spotted near the coastal waters of Cuyo, Palawan, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 70 kph as it moved westward at 25 kph.

Signal No. 1 remains in effect over several provinces in Luzon and the Visayas, including Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, portions of Romblon and northern and central Palawan, as well as Antique and parts of Aklan. The warning covers areas that may experience minimal to minor wind impacts.

PAGASA said Verbena may strengthen into a tropical storm while skirting the northern part of Palawan.

Should this occur, Signal No. 2 will be the highest alert raised during the cyclone’s passage.

The weather bureau also warned that the combined effects of the northeast monsoon and Verbena will bring gusty conditions – reaching strong to gale-force strength – to large parts of Luzon and the Visayas, including coastal and upland areas. These conditions may persist through Thursday.

A gale warning has been hoisted over the seaboards of Northern Luzon, with rough to very rough sea conditions posing hazards to small vessels.

After landfall, Verbena is expected to move over the Sulu Sea and emerge into the West Philippine Sea today.

It is forecast to pass north of the Kalayaan Islands by evening before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility early tomorrow.

Further intensification is likely once the system reaches open waters, with peak strength possible by tomorrow or early Friday.

Verbena’s impact

Due to the intense rains brought by Verbena, Southern Cebu was hit by heavy flooding yesterday.

The downpour caused rivers and spillways in Carcar City, Ronda, Dumanjug and Barili to overflow, submerging low-lying areas and prompting large-scale evacuations.

In Carcar, 439 people from four barangays were brought to the city gym after the Poblacion I spillway overflowed around 2 a.m.

City DRRMO head Joyce Mae Powao said the rains intensified late Monday before breaching the spillway at dawn.

Roads briefly became impassable and major establishments were flooded, though conditions normalized by morning.

The provincial government swiftly distributed thousands of hot meals, food packs and bottled water, along with 210 boxes of medicines.

Governor Pamela Baricuatro ordered an assessment of equipment needs and said emergency procurement is underway.

In Barili, 425 people were affected as the Sta. Ana River swelled between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m., surprising residents because previous storms did not cause similar flooding.

Flooding also affected Compostela, Liloan, Mandaue and Talisay in northern Cebu, while rice fields in Carcar remained submerged.

Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental also felt Verbena’s impact.

Nearly 20,000 people fled their homes in Negros Occidental, including 13,831 people in various evacuation centers and 5,625 people affected in Bacolod City.

Classes were suspended in 37 towns in Negros, while eight halted work operations.

In Metro Manila, several local governments also suspended in-person classes amid continuing rains, including Valenzuela, San Juan, Mandaluyong, Pateros, Pasig, Quezon City, Manila and Caloocan.

The suspensions covered all levels in public and private schools, day care centers and Alternative Learning System programs, with some LGUs shifting to alternative learning modes.

In light of Verbena’s impact so far, the Philippine National Police activated its disaster response units nationwide.

Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police teams are ready to assist communities affected by flooding and landslides.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported that 5,576 passengers were stranded in 82 ports nationwide.

Also stuck were 1,936 rolling cargoes, 121 vessels and 26 motorbancas, while 141 vessels and 52 motor bancas took shelter. — Rudy Santos, Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano, Gilbert Bayoran, Freeman