Six areas in Northern Luzon are now under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 as Typhoon Nando intensified into a super typhoon while moving closer to the country’s northernmost provinces, according to PAGASA.
In its 11:00 a.m. bulletin, the state weather bureau reported that the center of Nando (international name: Ragasa) was located 535 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, as of 10 a.m.
It is packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 230 kph, with a central pressure of 930 hPa. The super typhoon is moving west at 15 kph, with strong to typhoon-force winds extending outward up to 530 km from the center.
Areas Under Signal No. 2
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Batanes
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Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
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Northern and eastern portions of Isabela (San Mariano, Ilagan City, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quezon)
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Apayao
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Eastern portion of Kalinga (Rizal, City of Tabuk, Pinukpuk)
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Northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Vintar, Carasi, Adams, Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Bangui, Burgos, Pasuquin)
TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the remaining areas of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, parts of Zambales, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Aurora.
Track and Warnings
PAGASA said Nando will begin turning west-northwestward Sunday toward Extreme Northern Luzon. The super typhoon may pass close to or make landfall over Batanes or Babuyan Islands by Monday afternoon or evening before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility by early Tuesday. It is expected to intensify further before approaching land.
The weather bureau also warned of possible storm surges exceeding three meters within the next 48 hours in low-lying and exposed coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. Gale warnings remain in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon, making sea travel risky for all vessels.
Residents in affected and nearby areas are urged to remain alert, heed evacuation advisories, and coordinate with local authorities as Nando continues to intensify.
