DAVAO CITY (November 24) — The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 over several provinces in Visayas and Mindanao on Monday as Tropical Depression Verbena moved closer to the country’s eastern seaboard.
In the Visayas, areas under Signal No. 1 include the central and southern portions of Eastern Samar and Samar, as well as Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Cebu (including Bantayan and Camotes Islands), Bohol, northern Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique (including Caluya Islands), and Guimaras.
In Mindanao, the alert covers Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte (including Siargao and Bucas Grande), and the northern portion of Surigao del Sur.
Pagasa weather specialist Robert Badrina said Verbena was spotted 330 kilometers east of Surigao City, packing maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gusts of up to 55 kph, while moving west at 30 kph.
Verbena is projected to pass through Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur this afternoon before traversing the Visayas-Palawan corridor until Tuesday.
By Wednesday, the system is expected to be over the Philippine Sea and may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Thursday, according to PAGASA.
