MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Depression Verbena may make landfall in the Caraga Region as early as Monday afternoon, according to state meteorologists.
As of 11:00 a.m., Verbena was spotted 205 kilometers east-southeast of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, maintaining maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts up to 55 kph, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
“It is forecast to make landfall over Caraga region this afternoon or evening,” it added.
Verbena may slightly intensify before its Caraga landfall, but is likely to remain a tropical depression when it crosses the Visayas.
The tropical depression is forecast to move generally west-northwest throughout its passage across the central portion of the country through Tuesday.
It will then accelerate across Visayas and northern Palawan between Monday night and Tuesday night before emerging over the West Philippine Sea, where it may peak as a severe tropical storm Wednesday.
Verbena is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility Thursday.
Meanwhile, Pagasa hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 (winds of 39 to 61 kph with minimal to minor threat to life and property) across parts of Luzon, the entire Visayas, and parts of Mindanao.
Luzon
- Occidental Mindoro
- Oriental Mindoro
- Romblon
- northern portion of Palawan: Araceli, Taytay, El Nido, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, including Calamian, Cuyo, and Cagayancillo Islands
- mainland Masbate: Balud, Mandaon, Milagros, Cawayan, Placer, Pio V. Corpuz, Esperanza, Uson, Dimasalang, City of Masbate, Mobo, Palanas, Aroroy, Cataingan, Baleno
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
- northern portion of Surigao del Sur: Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes, San Miguel, City of Tandag, Tago, Bayabas, Cagwait, Marihatag, Lianga, Barobo, San Agustin
- Agusan del Norte
- northern portion of Agusan del Sur: Sibagat, Prosperidad, City of Bayugan, Esperanza
- Camiguin
- eastern portion of Misamis Oriental: Magsaysay, Gingoog City, Medina, Talisayan, Balingoan, Kinoguitan, Binuangan, Sugbongcogon, Salay, Lagonglong, Balingasag, Claveria, Jasaan /gsg/abc