The Tropical Depression Verbena is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm as it passes through the Cuyo Archipelago and heads to northern Palawan, according to PAGASA. According to the agency's report, the storm has 55 kph winds and 70 kph gusts while moving westward.
Signal No. 1 remains in effect in parts of Luzon and Visayas, including Mindoro, some areas in Romblon, Palawan, Aklan, and Antique. According to PAGASA, Verbena may further strengthen, so it is possible to raise Signal No. 2 if the storm continues to intensify.
PAGASA also warned that the combination of the Northeast Monsoon and Verbena will bring strong and windy conditions over much of Luzon and the Visayas. There is also a gale warning over the coasts of Northern Luzon, making sailing dangerous especially for small boats.
The worst impact was felt in Southern Cebu, where heavy rains caused floods in Carcar, Ronda, Dumanjug and Barili. Thousands of residents were evacuated, and some roads were temporarily impassable. The local government immediately provided food, water and medicine to help the evacuees.
In Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, nearly 20,000 people have been affected and more than 13,000 are in evacuation centers. Classes have been suspended in many areas in Negros and several cities in Metro Manila due to the continuous rain. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard reported that more than 5,500 passengers and hundreds of vessels are stranded at various ports in the country.
