'Verbena' exits PAR but heavy rains persist

Typhoon "Verbena" (international name "Koto") exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Thursday morning, Nov.

- By ELLALYN RUIZ

27, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.As of 8 a.m., the typhoon was located 240 kilometers north of Pag-asa Island, Palawan, with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gusts of up to 170 kph.

Verbena has been upgraded from a severe tropical storm to a typhoon and is moving west-northwest at 20 kph.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 remains in effect over Kalayaan Islands as strong winds may still prevail over the area.