The state weather bureau PAGASA on Monday morning raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 5 over parts of the Babuyan Islands as Super Typhoon Nando maintained its strength while moving closer to northern Luzon.

As of 4:00 AM, the center of Nando’s eye was estimated at 245 km east of Calayan, Cagayan (19.2°N, 123.8°E), packing maximum sustained winds of 205 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 250 km/h, and a central pressure of 915 hPa. The super typhoon is moving west northwestward at 20 km/h.

Areas under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals

• TCWS No. 5 (typhoon-force winds; extreme threat to life and property):
  Northern portion of Babuyan Islands – Babuyan Island, Didicas Island, Panuitan Island, Calayan Island

• TCWS No. 4 (typhoon-force winds; significant to severe threat):
  Southeastern Batanes (Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan, Sabtang), the rest of Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana)

• TCWS No. 3 (storm-force winds; moderate to significant threat):
  The rest of Batanes, northern and central portions of Cagayan, Apayao, and Ilocos Norte

• TCWS No. 2 (gale-force winds; minor to moderate threat):
  The rest of Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, parts of Benguet, Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and northern La Union

• TCWS No. 1 (strong winds; minimal to minor threat):
  Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, and the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands

PAGASA warned that extreme impacts from typhoon-force winds are possible in areas under Signal No. 5, while significant to severe impacts may occur under Signal No. 4.

Rainfall, Winds, and Storm Surge

The weather bureau said the Southwest Monsoon and Nando’s trough will continue to bring strong to gale-force gusts over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, BARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Davao Region today.

There is also a high risk of life-threatening storm surges exceeding 3.0 meters within the next 24 hours in low-lying and exposed coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. PAGASA advised residents in these areas to heed evacuation orders and closely monitor local storm surge warnings.

Sea Conditions

A Gale Warning is in effect over the seaboards of Northern and Central Luzon. Seas will be very rough to very high, with waves reaching up to 14 meters along the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Sea travel remains risky for all types of vessels, and mariners are urged to remain in port or seek safe harbor until conditions improve.

Track and Outlook

Nando is expected to turn westward today toward the Babuyan Islands. On its current track, the super typhoon may pass close to or make landfall over the islands between noon and early afternoon Monday.

The super typhoon is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday morning, September 23, while maintaining or possibly intensifying further.

PAGASA urged the public, local government units, and disaster risk reduction offices to take all necessary precautions to protect life and property and to monitor official bulletins for updated heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm advisories, and other severe weather information.