Most sea travel to and from Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte is suspended and several local governments have called off classes as Tropical Depression Verbena approaches the region. Authorities halted most sea travel to and from the Dinagat Islands and suspended classes across the small province as Verbena moved closer to the Caraga region. The Philippine Coast Guard stopped voyages of vessels operating between Dinagat and storm-affected parts of Mindanao after the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte. Only roll-on/roll-off vessels on the main supply route between Dinagat Islands and Surigao City in Surigao del Norte are allowed to operate under tight limits. Several town governments across Dinagat ordered class suspensions as heavy rain persisted, and Governor Lyndon Barbers authorized localized class suspensions in Siargao and Bucas Grande islands. As of 10 am, Verbena was located about 205 kilometers east-southeast of Surigao City, moving west at 15 kph with maximum sustained winds of 45 kph and gusts of up to 55 km per hour. Weather forecasters said Verbena could make landfall in Caraga later Monday, before accelerating across the Visayas and northern Palawan through Tuesday and emerging over the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday. The Coast Guard reminded vessels allowed to sail to remain vigilant and noted that all voyages will resume only when weather and sea conditions improve.
