Manila: Typhoon Nando continues to undergo rapid intensification as it is forecast to become a super typhoon on Sunday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.
According to Philippines News Agency, in its 5 a.m. bulletin, the weather bureau said the center of Typhoon Nando was located 610 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan with maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 215 kph. PAGASA weather specialist Obet Badrina advised the public to prepare as Nando is forecast to reach the super typhoon category on Sunday evening and ‘will continue to intensify before it approaches extreme Northern Luzon.’
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted in several areas including Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, parts of Isabela, Apayao, and Kalinga. ‘Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the localities where Wind Signal No. 2 is hoisted,’ PAGASA warned.
Areas under T
CWS No. 1 include the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, parts of Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aurora, and Catanduanes.
The southwest monsoon and the trough of Nando will bring strong to gale-force gusts over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, Davao Occidental, and Davao Oriental. Mariners are advised to avoid sea ventures under these conditions, especially those with small seacrafts and ill-equipped vessels.
There is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding three meters within the next 48 hours over certain coastal localities including Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
Meanwhile, Tropical Cyclone Neoguri intensified into a Super Typhoon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility. PAGASA reported Neoguri’s location at 3,295 kilometers east nort
heast of extreme Northern Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 185 kph and gustiness up to 230 kph, moving west northwestward at 25 kph.