Negros Occidental is now on heightened alert as Tropical Depression Verbena brings heavy rains, strong winds, and the threat of volcanic sediment flows from Kanlaon Volcano, prompting the provincial government to order immediate pre-emptive evacuations on Monday, November 24.
PAGASA–Visayas placed the province under a yellow rainfall warning at 2pm, cautioning that flooding may hit low-lying areas while landslides remain likely in mountainous zones.
With Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 raised across Negros Occidental, winds between 39 and 61 km/h may develop within 36 hours. PAGASA urged residents and disaster officials to closely monitor updates and prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions.
Immediate evacuations
Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson has issued Executive Order No. 25-24, directing all city and municipal mayors to conduct pre-emptive evacuation of families living in flood-prone, landslide-prone, storm surge–prone, and other geologically hazardous areas.
Lacson said the order aims to protect vulnerable communities from “expected strong winds and continuous heavy rains from Verbena,” which may endanger residents in low-lying and high-risk zones.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) earlier recommended the immediate evacuation following PAGASA’s latest bulletin confirming that Verbena maintained its strength while moving westward over the Philippine Sea.
Most local governments across Negros Occidental suspended face-to-face classes due to the unfavorable weather conditions.
Possible lahar flows
Phivolcs issued a separate advisory warning that heavy to intense rainfall may generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, muddy runoff, and sediment-laden streamflows on rivers surrounding Kanlaon Volcano, which remains under Alert Level 2.
The agency urged communities located in pre-identified lahar-prone zones on the volcano’s southern, western, and eastern slopes to stay vigilant, adding that prolonged heavy rainfall may produce “life-threatening” flows.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.