By Brian Campued
Tropical Storm Nando (international name: Ragasa) continues to intensify while traversing the Philippine Sea, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).
As of 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Nando was located 1,005 km east of Central Luzon and is moving westward at 20 kph, with maximum sustained winds of 75 kph and gustiness of up to 90 kph.
“Sa pinaka-latest na satellite image animation, mapapansin po natin na ‘yung tinatayang sentro ng bagyong si nando ay napakalayo pa sa kalupaan ng ating bansa, maging ‘yung mga ulap na dala nito… Basically sa mga araw na ito ay wala pang direktang epekto sa anumang bahagi ng ating bansa,” PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Chris Perez said in a public briefing.
In its latest bulletin, PAGASA said Nando may become a severe tropical storm within the day and will intensify to typhoon category by Saturday, Sept. 20.
It may also reach super typhoon strength by Monday, Sept. 22, before passing close or making landfall over Babuyan Islands.
“Base dito sa latest forecast track natin, posible na sa pagitan po ng Lunes ng gabi hanggang Martes ng umaga, ay either mag-landfall ito sa any of the Babuyan Island Group o tumawid sa karagatan sa pagitan ng mga islang ito,” Perez explained.
Perez also advised residents living in Cagayan and Isabela for a potential landfall scenario due to the area of probability of the tropical cyclone within the forecast period, meaning Nando’s center may move lower or higher than the projected track.
Nando may exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) by Tuesday, Sept. 23.
While no Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) is hoisted yet, PAGASA said they may raise Wind Signal No. 1 over Northern Luzon on Saturday morning as Nando approaches the landmass.
“Habang papalapit ‘yung bagyo, asahan po natin magkakaroon pa po tayo ng mas matataas na [TCWS] at posible pa pong umabot ng Wind Signal No. 5 dahil nga inaasahan po natin na posibleng maabot nito ‘yung super typhoon category bago pa mag-landfall or tumawid sa bandang Extreme Northern Luzon area or any other areas na nakapaloob sa tinawatag nating area of probability,” Perez said.
Meanwhile, the onset of heavy rains due to Nando is possible over the eastern section of Luzon and Visayas by Sunday. The enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) will also drench the western section of Central and Southern Luzon as well as the Visayas.
PAGASA may also raise a storm surge warning over the coastal waters of northern Luzon on Saturday.
Nando will likewise begin affecting the sea condition over the coastal waters of Luzon on Sunday as it approaches extreme northern Luzon, with offshore wave heights possibly reaching up to 14 meters.
In a press release Thursday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) assured the public that it is closely monitoring Nando and that it has enough relief resources prepositioned in preparation for the tropical cyclone’s possible impact.
“We have more than 2.5 million boxes of FFPs, as well as ready-to-eat food (RTEF) boxes, other non-food relief items in strategically-prepositioned warehouses nationwide,” DSWD Spokesperson, Asec. Irene Dumlao said.
“Nandiyan rin ang pagsisiguro na open ang communication lines natin sa mga [local government units] na direktang maapektuhan nitong TD Nando para masigurong mabilis na makakarating ang kakailanganin na tulong,” she added.”
-jpv
