Verbena Strengthens Into Tropical Storm, Signal No. 2 Up In Some Areas

Tropical Depression Verbena intensified into a tropical storm based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 25,

As of 4 a.m. today, Nov. 26, PAGASA said the center of Verbena was 130 kilometers west of Coron, Palawan with maximum sustained winds of 85 km per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 105 kph.

“Verbena may reach severe tropical storm category this afternoon and will continue to intensify until tomorrow (Nov. 27) due to favorable environment. Afterwards, a weakening trend may occur due to the effect of the surge of the northeast monsoon,” PAGASA said.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2 was hoisted over Calamian Islands and extreme northern portion of mainland Palawan (El Nido, Taytay) in Luzon.

Occidental Mindoro and the northern and central portions of Palawan (Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, Puerto Princesa City) including Cuyo and Kalayaan Islands also in Luzon are under Signal No. 1.

“It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall and severe winds may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone,” PAGASA said.

“On the forecast track, Verbena will continue moving west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea this morning before moving westward and passing north of Kalayaan Islands this afternoon and evening. It will then exit the Philippine area of responsibility tomorrow,” it added.

Verbena’s impact

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

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 Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office 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. – With Rudy Santos, Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano, Gilbert Bayoran, The Freeman