ILOILO CITY: Tropical Depression Verbena intensified on Monday (Nov 24) as it continued to move westward toward the Visayas, prompting widespread alerts for flooding and rain-induced landslides, and placing thousands of schools at risk.
This was based on new advisories from the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).
As of 3am on Monday, Pagasa said that the centre of Verbena was located 345km east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte, with maximum sustained winds of 45 km per hour (kph) near the centre and gustiness of up to 55 kph.
The system was moving westward at 30 kph, while a shear line continued to affect the eastern section of Luzon, and the northeast monsoon prevailed over Northern and Central Luzon.
DepEd-DRRMS’ hazard mapping revealed that 7,939 schools across 93 divisions are at risk of flooding, with Region 8 (Eastern Visayas) registering the highest number at 1,811, followed by Region 5 (1,518) and Region 13 (1,237).
Another 5,354 schools in 89 divisions were identified at risk of rain-induced landslides, with Region 5 topping the list at 1,242 schools, followed by Region 7 (969) and Region 10 (724). The maps indicated widespread susceptibility across the Visayas and Northern Mindanao, especially in low-lying and mountainous areas.
Pagasa’s 12-hour to 120-hour forecast placed Verbena crossing the central Philippines, passing near or over the coastal waters of Liloan, Cebu, by early Tuesday and Tibiao, Antique, by Tuesday afternoon.
The cyclone is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm within 48 hours as it moves over the waters surrounding Palawan. By Nov 29, Verbena is projected to be outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), west-northwest of the Kalayaan Island Group, with winds of up to 65 kph.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over wide portions of the Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and portions of Mindoro, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Cebu, Negros, Guimaras, Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, Antique, and Palawan.
The Himawari-8 infrared satellite image at 5:10am on Monday showed a large convective mass over the Visayas and Mindanao, indicating persistent heavy rainfall that may worsen flooding in susceptible areas.
The DepEd urged School Division Offices to coordinate with local governments, activate their School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management teams, protect learning equipment, pre-position emergency supplies, and report incidents through its Incident Management Reporting System.
The agency reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of learners and staff as Verbena brings days of unsettled weather across the country. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
