By Brian Campued
Tropical Cyclone “Verbena” (international name: Koto) has intensified further over the West Philippine Sea and is now a severe tropical storm, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, the center of Severe Tropical Storm Verbena was located 375 km 310 km east-northeast of Pag-asa Island in Kalayaan, Palawan.
The storm now packs maximum sustained winds of 95 kph and gustiness of up to 115 kph while moving rapidly westward at 35 kph.
“Asahan pa rin yung trough o ‘yung outer part nitong si Bagyong Verbena ay nakakaapekto pa rin in some areas of MIMAROPA and CALABARZON as well as itong Zambales and Bataan areas,” PAGASA weather specialist Benison Estareja said.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 remains hoisted over Kalayaan Islands as strong winds may still pose minimal to minor threat to life and property within the next 36 hours.
PAGASA added that Verbena and the surge of the northeast monsoon (amihan) will bring gusty conditions in areas not under any Wind Signal, including Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan today.
A gale warning likewise remains in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of southern Luzon. Sea travel is risky for small seacrafts such as motor bancas due to rough to very rough sea conditions.
Based on the forecast track, the state weather bureau said Verbena may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) between late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning (Nov. 27).
Meanwhile, the shear line will continue to drench some areas in northern Luzon—with heavy to intense rains possible in Cagayan and Apayao as well as moderate to heavy rains over Isabela, Kalinga, and Aurora until Thursday noon.
Estareja explained that the shear line is the boundary created when cold winds from the northeast monsoon and warm winds from the easterlies meet, causing heavy rains.
At least two individuals are reportedly missing in Negros Island Region (NIR) due to the combined effects of Verbena and the shear line, resulting in flooding in several areas.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the figure is still under validation.
In its latest situational report, the NDRRMC said that 78,736 families or about 275,458 individuals across MIMAROPA, Western Visayas, NIR, Central Visayas, and Caraga have been affected by the weather systems.
-jpv
