Depresi Tropis Verbena Mendarat di Filipina, Peringatan Angin Meluas

Depresi Tropis Verbena made landfall in Surigao del Sur on Monday, November 24, 2025, subsequently tracking across the Agusan del Norte region. This meteorological event prompted widespread preparedness responses across the Philippine archipelago, given the weather system's rapid movement and potential impact on densely populated areas. At the time of its initial landfall, the system registered maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour, an intensity sufficient for the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 across 23 areas spanning Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Early assessments on Monday placed the center of Tropical Depression Verbena approximately 330 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, with a central pressure of 1002 hPa, moving westward at a speed between 20 and 30 kilometers per hour. PAGASA indicated that Verbena might slightly intensify before reaching the northeastern coast of Mindanao, but was forecast to traverse the Philippine landmass as a tropical depression. However, projections suggested that upon emerging over the West Philippine Sea, the system held the potential to strengthen further into a tropical storm.

The system's planned trajectory involved crossing the Visayas and the northern part of Palawan from Monday through Wednesday, November 26, before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by Wednesday morning or Thursday, November 27. PAGASA issued Tropical Cyclone Bulletin No. 3 at 11 a.m. on Monday, November 24, underscoring the potential for intensification within the subsequent 36 hours. Furthermore, the wind warnings were compounded by the combined effects of Verbena and the northeast monsoon, which could generate gale-force gusts in areas outside the direct signal path.

The activation of Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 signifies a minimal to minor threat to life and property; however, PAGASA cautioned that heavy rainfall, strong winds, and storm surges could still affect locations outside the direct landfall track. For instance, TCWS No. 1 was implemented in areas such as Surigao del Norte, Dinagat Islands, and Surigao del Sur in Caraga, alongside regions in Eastern Visayas like Samar and Leyte. Beyond wind threats, extensive warnings were issued for potential flooding and landslides, particularly in low-lying and mountainous areas of Visayas and northern Mindanao, placing thousands of schools at risk of instructional suspension.

The logistical implications of the weather conditions are also considerable, notably for the maritime sector. A gale warning was issued for the northern coasts of Luzon, where sea conditions were expected to be rough to very rough, prompting owners of motor boats and similar vessels to postpone voyages or implement strict precautionary measures. Historically, storms traversing this region have frequently caused significant disruptions to both land and sea transport, exemplified by the impact of Tropical Storm Trami in October 2024, which resulted in 76 fatalities and nearly 320,000 displacements.

Local authorities were urged to activate emergency response plans and conduct preemptive evacuations in high-risk zones, adhering to protocols established by the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority. The projected path shows Verbena crossing central Philippines, passing near Liloan, Cebu, on Tuesday morning and Tibiao, Antique, by Tuesday afternoon, before heading toward Palawan. If the system strengthens into a tropical storm near or after Palawan, its intensity is even projected to reach severe tropical storm category while moving west across the Kalayaan Islands in the South China Sea. Continuous monitoring of updates from PAGASA, scheduled every three hours, remains crucial given the potential for track shifts within the forecast uncertainty cone.