By Brian Campued
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) may begin raising Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 this Saturday afternoon as ‘Nando’ rapidly intensified into a typhoon.
In its 11:00 a.m. update, the state weather bureau said Typhoon Nando was located 775 km east of Casiguran, Aurora and now packs maximum sustained winds of 120 kph and gustiness of up to 150 kph.
The typhoon is currently moving northwestward at 10 kph and is forecast to turn west-northwestward towards extreme northern Luzon.
While over the Philippine Sea, Nando will continue to intensify and may reach super typhoon category by Monday, Sept. 22, before passing close to or making landfall over Batanes or Babuyan Islands.
“Sa mga susunod na araw, nakikita din natin ‘yung posibilidad nito na maging isa ng super typhoon—at pag nangyari po iyon, magtaaas tayo ng hanggang Signal No. 5,” PAGASA weather specialist John Manalo said in a public briefing.
“By Monday afternoon or evening ay ito ‘yung time kung saan pinakamalapit ito sa kalupaan ng ating bansa, specifically sa may Extreme Northern Luzon,” Manalo noted, reminding residents to prepare for the possible onslaught of the typhoon.
Manalo said PAGASA may place Cagayan Valley, extreme northern Luzon, as well as the northern portion of Aurora under TCWS No. 1 in its next bulletin to be issued at 5:00 p.m.
The northern Luzon and the eastern portion of Central Luzon may also be placed under Wind Signal No. 1.
The onset of heavy rains due to Nando is expected to begin by Sunday noon, Sept. 21, with 100 to 200 mm of rain expected over Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Cagayan, and Batanes until Monday noon.
“Ibig sabihin within those provinces, posible yung multiple na mga pagbaha and mga landslides lalo na sa mga nakatira sa mga bulubunduking lugar,” Manalo explained.
On the other hand, 50 to 100 mm of rain will be experienced in Isabela, Abra, and Ilocos Sur during the same period.
“Yung associated naman na impact niyan ay flash floods o localized floodings lalo na sa mga nakatira sa bahaing lugar o sa mga low-lying areas o nakatira sa malapit sa katubigan,” he added.
Nando will also enhance the southwest monsoon (habagat), bringing heavy to intense rains over Occidental Mindoro and moderate to heavy rains in Palawan, Romblon, and Antique from Sunday noon to Monday noon.
Meanwhile, PAGASA also warned of possibly life-threatening storm surges with heights reaching more than 3 meters in low-lying and coastal communities Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Cagayan within the next 96 hours.
-jpv
