Manila: Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Verbena (international name Koto) has maintained its strength, packing maximum sustained winds of 95 km per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 115 kph, the weather bureau said in its 5 p.m. bulletin on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the cyclone was last tracked 230 km northeast of Pag-asa Island, Kalayaan, Palawan. It is moving westward at 15 kph.

Strong winds will prevail across Kalayaan Islands, where Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still hoisted. Gale warning is still in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon, PAGASA said.

Verbena is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility either Wednesday night or on Thursday. Meanwhile, PAGASA said the shear line will cause heavy rains across Cagayan, Apayao, Isabela, Kalinga, and Aurora.