By Brian Campued
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has raised the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 in Luzon as Typhoon Nando further intensifies while traversing the Philippine Sea.
As of 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Nando was monitored at 770 km east of Echague, Isabela, and is moving northwestward towards the extreme northern Luzon at 10kph. The typhoon packs maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.
According to PAGASA Weather Specialist John Manalo, the tropical cyclone is forecast to intensify into a super typhoon by Monday, Sept. 22, before its close approach to the Batanes-Babuyan Islands area.
TCWS No. 1 is hoisted in the following areas:
- Batanes
- Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands
- Isabela
- Quirino
- Northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Kasibu, Quezon, Diadi, Bagabag, Villaverde, Solano, Ambaguio, Bayombong, Bambang, Dupax del Norte)
- Apayao
- Kalinga
- Abra
- Mountain Province
- Ifugao
- Ilocos Norte
- Northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, Magsingal, San Vicente, San Ildefonso, Santo Domingo, Bantay, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Santa, Caoayan)
- Northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Baler)
- Northern and central portions of Catanduanes (Pandan, Caramoran, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, Viga, Gigmoto, San Miguel, Baras)
“Malaki ang sakop ng bagyo na ito, at kapag lumapit pa ito sa ating kalupaan, mas lumaki na yung tiyansa na hanggang Metro Manila ay posibleng umabot at magtaas tayo ng Wind Signal No. 1,” Manalo said.
As early as today until Sunday afternoon, Sept. 21, Nando will bring moderate to heavy rains over Cagayan and Batanes, while the enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) will dump the same volume of rains over Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Antique, and Palawan.
Between Sunday afternoon to Monday afternoon, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Batanes, and Cagayan will experience intense to torrential rains, while heavy to intense rains are forecast over Ilocos Sur, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Benguet, and La Union.
Moderate to heavy rain brought by Nando and habagat are likewise expected over Isabela, Pangasinan, Ifugao, Tarlac, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas, Occidental Mindoro, Romblon, Antique, and Palawan.
A gale warning is now in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, urging mariners to avoid venturing out into the sea due to up to very rough sea conditions.
The storm surge warning is likewise still hoisted over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, with waves possible to exceed 3 meters within the next 72 hours.
“Kung nakatira man po tayo malapit sa coastal areas, habang malayo pa po [yung bagyo] ay paghandaan na po kung saan po tayo puwedeng lumikas o kaya naman ay kung ano po yung puwede nating gawin to prevent further damage,” Manalo said.
He also urged residents to monitor updates on the typhoon and to follow the directives of their local authorities.
-jpv
