TD Verbena makes landfall over Surigao del Sur

Metro Manila, Philippines – Tropical Depression Verbena made landfall over Bayabas, Surigao del Sur at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 24, weather bureau PAGASA reported. 

In its 5 p.m. bulletin, PAGASA said “Verbena” was last seen over Agusan del Norte. 

It will bring heavy rains as it crosses Caraga region, accelerates to Visayas and northern Palawan, and emerges over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday.

“Kung ikukumpara natin ‘yong intensity nito sa mga nakaraang bagyo, hindi ganun kalakas ‘yong hangin na dala ni Bagyong Verbena. Pero kailangan pa rin i-consider dahil depende pa rin ang epekto nito sa vulnerability ng mga lugar,” PAGASA weather specialist Grace Castañeda said. 

[Translation: The winds brought by Tropical Depression Verbena are not as strong as those from previous tropical cyclones, but we have to consider the effects based on the vulnerability of areas to be hit.]

PAGASA said “Verbena” maintained its strength, last seen packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kph.

“It may reach tropical storm category either before reaching northern Palawan or once over the West Philippine Sea. ‘Verbena’ may peak at severe tropical storm category in the middle of the West Philippine Sea,” the bulletin read.

As of 5 p.m. on Monday, Signal No. 1 is up in the following areas: 

Luzon – Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, the northern and central portions of Palawan including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands, and mainland Masbate.

Visayas – Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Cebu, Bohol, Samar, Eastern Samar, Biliran, Leyte, and Southern Leyte.

Mindanao – Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur Camiguin, Misamis Oriental, and the northern portion of Bukidnon, the northern portion of Misamis Occidental, and the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte.

Heavy rainfall

Meanwhile, “Verbena” is seen to bring significant rainfall when it crosses land this week. 

Heavy to intense rainfall, or up to 200 millimeters of rain, may be dumped over Eastern Visayas, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo, Cebu, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Catanduanes, Masbate, Albay, and Sorsogon. 

Moderate to heavy rains may be dumped over northern Mindanao, and the rest of the Visayas, Mimaropa, and Caraga.

The shearline will also bring up to intense rains until Tuesday afternoon over Quezon, and heavy rainfall over Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Batangas, and Marinduque.

Visayas is reeling from the impact of Typhoon Tino (international name: Kalmaegi), which triggered massive flooding and killed over 200 people.