Dangerous rains over Cebu | PAGASA: ‘Verbena’ may trigger flashfloods

CEBU CITY, PHILIPPINES — It may only be a tropical depression, but Verbena is forecast to dump heavy rains over Cebu—enough to trigger floods and landslides, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned.

PAGASA said Verbena may bring 100 to 200 millimeters of rainfall, an amount considered dangerous given the province’s current soil condition and silted waterways.

Engineer Al Quiblat, Weather Services Chief of Pagasa Visayas, said heavy rains pose a greater threat than the system’s winds, which remain within the 45 to 55 kph range of a tropical depression.

“Ang atong mga waterways, rivers nato ang capacity is na reduce because of dissiltation, katong mga loose soil tungod ni Tino from the upstream so na deposit naman siya so mabaw na ang kasapaan, mga drainage,” Quiblat said.

Quiblat noted that Verbena’s track shifted slightly south, from its initial CARAGA–Leyte–Central Cebu path, and is now projected to pass through CARAGA, then Bohol, before moving toward southern Cebu. Initial landfall was expected yesterday evening over the CARAGA region, followed by Bohol close to dawn, and southern Cebu today.

Quiblat stressed that the specific landfall point in Cebu “does not matter as long as we are prepared for the heavy rains.” He said Verbena is not expected to intensify into a tropical storm before landfall and is likely to maintain its current strength while crossing the Visayas.

What residents should monitor, he said, is the potential for flash floods, flooding, and landslides, especially in areas already weakened by previous weather disturbances.

On the other hand, Cebu is still under storm signal number one, based on PAGASA’s Tropical Cyclone Bulletin number 5 issued at 5pm yesterday. The weather bureau said that Verbena has made landfall over Bayabas, Surigao del Sur and then over Agusan del Norte.

PAGASA added that Verbena may slightly intensify before landfall but will likely cross Visayas as a tropical depression. It may reach tropical storm category either before reaching northern Palawan or once over the West Philippine Sea. It added that Verbena may peak at severe tropical storm category while in the middle of the West Philippine Sea north of Kalayaan Islands.

Cebu City on red alert

Cebu City has raised its disaster status to Red Alert as multiple weather systems converge over the Visayas, prompting urgent warnings of torrential rains and possible flooding.

City Councilor Dave Tumulak, chair of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRMC), said the most dangerous hours—based on forecasts from PAGASA—are expected between 10 p.m. tonight until 3 a.m. tomorrow.

“Aduna ta’y mga torrential rains nga mahitabo, mao na’y hinungdan nga atong gipahibaw sa atong mga barangay captains, ug sa atong mga katawhan nga kon naa man gani ka nanimuyo sa usa ka lugar nga lunupanan, palihug lang balhin lang daan kay wa’ ta kahibaw ani’ng mao’ng sitwasyon karon,” he said.

Tumulak explained that this is the first time Cebu is facing the simultaneous impact of four weather disturbances: the shear line, the northeast monsoon, Tropical Depression Verbena, and the inter-tropical convergence zone.

“Upat ‘ni, wa’ta kahibaw sa extent ani karon maong maniid ‘ta…pero mas mayo nga para luwas kay mao man gyu’y gisulti sa atong mayor nga ipasiguro gyud nga luwas ang atong mga katawhan nga dili na masubli ang nahitabo niadtong niaging bagyo Tino,” he added, recalling the devastation of Typhoon Tino.

The CCDRMC had already placed Cebu City under Code Blue last Sunday evening, mobilizing disaster, rescue, engineering, medical, traffic, and barangay teams.

Yesterday afternoon, the alert level was raised to Red Alert, requiring all rescue tools, equipment, and personnel to be on full standby. Evacuation centers have been readied, and residents in flood-prone zones are urged to relocate immediately.

Following a meeting with barangay officials, the CCDRMC ordered pre-emptive evacuations yesterday afternoon, with barangay captains authorized to carry out forced evacuation if residents refuse to leave high-risk areas.

Priority is being given to households near rivers and waterways, where silt and debris from past floods have made channels shallower and more prone to overflow.

Mayor Nestor Archival, through his social media, has reiterated the city’s commitment to safeguard lives, reminding residents that rebuilding in no-build zones remains prohibited.

It was also noted that some families have returned to previously flooded homes despite warnings. The city continues seeking temporary and permanent relocation sites and properties to house affected families.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Building Official has directed billboard and signage owners to dismantle or secure large tarpaulins and structures to prevent accidents from strong winds.

The City Government also ordered the suspension of face-to-face classes, all levels, in all public and private schools, yesterday, November 24, and today (Nov. 25), as part of precautionary measures, upon recommendation of the CCDRRMO and the DILG.

In its public announcement, the city government instructed the schools to shift to modular or asynchronous learning until further notice.

As of press time, the Cebu City Government continues to conduct Pre-Disaster Risk Assessments with its 80 barangays, validating hazard-prone areas, checking evacuation centers, and ensuring communication lines remain active. Residents are urged to stay vigilant, heed advisories, and keep emergency hotlines handy.

The Cebu City Command Center can be reached through 911 for Smart and Sun subscribers, landline 032-266-6317, and mobile numbers 0917-839-9896 and 0932-537-7770.

The Emergency Operations Center can be contacted through 0993-173-5340 and 0993-173-5326.

As Tropical Depression Verbena approaches, Cebu City officials emphasize that preparedness and cooperation are crucial.

“Wa may kumo nga mangandam ta’ng daan,” Tumulak said, underscoring the need for collective vigilance to prevent a repeat of past tragedies.

Cebu Province preps

Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro, after the entire province was earlier placed under Signal No. 1, reminded Cebuanos not to underestimate Verbena despite its weak wind intensity. “This may not be a strong storm, but we should never be complacent,” she said, noting that many communities are still recovering from the recent earthquake and the effects of Bagyong Tino.

The governor assured affected families that LGUs and emergency units have been instructed to be on heightened alert and activate their DRRM teams. She urged residents to immediately comply should their local government order pre-emptive evacuation.

The governor also ordered the suspension of all face-to-face classes across Cebu starting November 24 until further notice, giving schools time to prepare while keeping students safe.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) also directed all city, municipal, and barangay DRRMO councils to shift to Preparedness and Monitoring Mode.

PDRRMO head Dennis Pastors said all local DRRMOs must stand by for quick mobilization and ensure that evacuation centers are ready should rainfall intensify.

“No river crossing, not only rivers but also sea travels,” Pastors cautioned, urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel, especially in flood-prone routes and near riverbanks.

Mandaue, Lapu-Lapu on alert

Bracing for Tropical Depression Verbena, the Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City Governments have moved early to ensure the safety of their residents.

The Mandaue city government announced pre-emptive evacuations effective yesterday, November 24, particularly in barangays located along the Butuanon and Mahiga rivers. Evacuations in other barangays will be carried out at the discretion of their respective barangay captains.

The directive followed a Pre-Disaster Risk Assessment (PDRA) conducted yesterday morning, led by Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) Head Buddy Ybañez, and key department heads who convened to prepare for the coming weather disturbance.

“Mag preemptive nalang gyud ‘ta kay lahi ni siya sa unang mga bagyo. Kay after sa Bagyong Tino, ang mga drainage sa syudad na-clog na gyud,” Ouano said, noting that even minimal rainfall could already trigger flooding in the city.

Given the city’s vulnerability to flooding, the CDRRMO and Barangay Emergency Response Teams raised the alert level from Blue Alert to Red Alert Status.

Ouano stressed that the city aims to prioritize the safety of residents, especially those living near the Butuanon and Mahiga rivers.

Drawing from their typhoon Tino experience, the mayor said canned goods and rice have been stocked at all evacuation sites. Instead of distributing ready-to-eat meals, each barangay will be responsible for cooking food for evacuees.

He explained that during Typhoon Tino, which struck on November 4, many ready-to-eat food items got spoiled and went unused.

The City Social Welfare Services Office confirmed that there is adequate food and resources allocated for all 18 evacuation sites, with provisions turned over directly to the barangays.

Previously, food packs were delayed because suppliers themselves were affected by Tino, resulting in shortages. This time, the city is implementing a “barangay community kitchen” approach so evacuees can be served freshly cooked meals prepared within their communities.

“It will not just be a responsibility of the city. The whole community will be helping one another,” said CSWS focal person Glydiza Gochoco.

Mayor Ouano also noted that many main roads were blocked during Typhoon Tino, which contributed to the delayed delivery of ready-to-eat meals. “Mao na ang usa sa among learnings—i-download na gyud nato ang mga provisions sa tagsa-tagsang barangay bisan wala pa maabot ang bagyo,” he said.

As early as yesterday morning, the city had already begun distributing canned goods and rice to the barangays.

Meanwhile, Ybañez said the city may experience “orange rainfall,” amounting to 100–200 millimeters of rain. He reiterated that the Butuanon and Mahiga rivers on the Mandaue side have weakened absorption capacity due to silt buildup.

He also acknowledged that the city’s drainage system has slowed down significantly, making pre-emptive evacuation necessary, as he expected around 9,000 evacuees.

In Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Cindi King-Chan convened the Technical Working Group for Oplan Kontra Baha yesterday at the City Mayor’s Office, emphasizing immediate action as heavy rainfall is expected in the coming hours.

The alert level was raised from White to Blue as Verbena entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).

Mayor Chan directed all barangays to intensify cleanup operations, expedite garbage collection, and strengthen measures against urban flooding and leptospirosis. Frontline personnel were also ordered to receive prophylaxis to prevent infection and related complications.

She noted that while Verbena is not classified as a strong cyclone, sustained heavy rain may still trigger flooding in several areas. “Strong preparedness, early coordination, and immediate action” are necessary, Mayor King-Chan stressed.

All barangays were instructed to complete garbage collection within the day and conduct community-wide cleanup initiatives in coordination with the Association of Barangay Captains and the Barangay Management Office.

The Lapu-Lapu City Government assured residents that coordinated efforts will continue throughout the weather disturbance.

Coast Guard on cancelled trips

The Coast Guard District Central Visayas reports a total of 1,303 stranded passengers, 102 vessels, 60 motor bancas, and 208 rolling cargoes across major ports in the region as adverse weather conditions brought by Verbena continue to affect sea travel yesterday.

These figures combine the earlier advisory issued yesterday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, which recorded 482 stranded passengers, 48 vessels, 30 motor bancas, and 105 rolling cargoes, and the succeeding advisory from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, noting 821 stranded passengers, 54 vessels, 30 motor bancas, and 103 rolling cargoes.

Meanwhile, several vessels and  motorbancas remain sheltered in various ports across Central Visayas. The Coast Guard Central Visayas continues to closely monitor maritime conditions and strongly advises the public, fisherfolk and small boat operators, to refrain from venturing out to sea until weather conditions improve and official advisories are lifted.