Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was hoisted Tuesday morning over 29 areas of the country due to Tropical Depression Verbena, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced.
Areas under Signal No. 1
LUZON
Occidental Mindoro
Oriental Mindoro
Romblon
the northern and central portions of Palawan, including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands
mainland Masbate
VISAYAS
Antique
Aklan
Capiz
Iloilo
Guimaras
Negros Occidental
Negros Oriental
Siquijor
Cebu
Bohol
Samar
Eastern Samar
Biliran
Leyte
Southern Leyte
MINDANAO
Dinagat Islands
Surigao del Norte
the northern portion of Surigao del Sur
Agusan del Norte
the northeastern portion of Agusan del Sur
Camiguin
Misamis Oriental
the northern portion of Misamis Occidental
the northern portion of Zamboanga del Norte
As of 4 a.m., Pagasa reported that Verbena was over the waters of Pinamungahan, Cebu, moving northwest at 25 kilometers per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 55 kph and gusts of up to 90 kph.
Verbena made landfall over Talisay, Cebu at 2:40 a.m., and it will continue to move west-northwest across the Visayas and the northern portion of Palawan.
Verbena will emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Wednesday morning, passing the north of Kalayaan Islands and possibly developing into a tropical storm before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday, Pagasa added.