DIPOLOG CITY, Philippines โ Tropical Depression Verbena swept into the Caraga region Monday, making landfall in Bayabas, Surigao del Sur, before crossing Agusan del Norte and triggering widespread rains across large parts of the country.
PAGASA said that as of 5 pm, Verbenaโs center was spotted near Jabonga, Agusan del Norte, moving westward with maximum sustained winds of 45 km/h and gustiness reaching 55 km/h.
The system is dumping rains with gusty winds over the Visayas, Caraga, Masbate, Mindoro provinces, Romblon, and Palawan, while the rest of Bicol and Mindanao are experiencing scattered rain showers and thunderstorms.
A total of 23 areas remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1, including Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, northern and central Palawan, the Calamian and Cuyo Islands, mainland Masbate, and several provinces across Western, Central, and Eastern Visayas. Portions of Bukidnon, Misamis Occidental, and Zamboanga del Norte are also under the storm signal.
Aside from Verbenaโs circulation, the shear line and the northeast monsoon are enhancing rains in several regions.
Local governments have advised residents in flood-prone and landslide-prone communities to remain on alert as Verbena continues to move westward across Mindanao.
Follows Tropical Storm Uwan
Verbena comes on the heels of Tropical Storm Uwan, which lashed Northern Luzon late last month.
Uwan brought intense rains that triggered landslides in parts of the Cordillera region and forced thousands to evacuate in Cagayan Valley.
The storm weakened before leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility but left behind inundated farmlands and damaged road networks in several provinces.
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