Palawan: The weather bureau is still expecting Tropical Depression (TD) Verbena to make landfall over the northern portion of Palawan on Tuesday night. In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Verbena was last tracked over the coastal waters of Cuyo, Palawan, moving westward at 25 kph. The TD packs maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center, and gustiness of up to 70 kph.
According to Philippines News Agency, Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 is still hoisted in Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, the southern portion of Romblon (Santa Fe, Ferrol, Looc, and San Jose), and the northern and central portions of Palawan (Araceli, Taytay, El Nido, Dumaran, Roxas, San Vicente, and Puerto Princesa City), including Calamian, Cuyo, Cagayancillo Islands, Antique and the northwestern portion of Aklan (Malay, Buruanga, and Nabas). Strong winds will prevail in these areas.
A gale warning is still in effect over the seaboards of Northern Luzon. PAGASA forecast Verbena to reach tropical storm category within the next six to 12 hours. The cyclone could reach its peak intensity late Thursday or early Friday, PAGASA said.
Meanwhile, PAGASA said Verbena and the shear line will cause heavy rains across Apayao, Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Marinduque, Romblon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Aklan, and Antique from Tuesday until Wednesday.
