Six areas in Northern Luzon have been placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 as Typhoon Nando (international name Ragasa) continues to rapidly intensify while approaching Extreme Northern Luzon, PAGASA reported Sunday morning.

In its 5:00 a.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, the state weather bureau said the eye of Nando was located about 610 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan.

The typhoon is packing maximum sustained winds of 175 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center, gusts of up to 215 km/h, and a central pressure of 935 hPa. It is moving northwest at 15 km/h with “strong to typhoon-force winds extending outward up to 530 km from the center.”

Areas Under TCWS No. 2

Residents in the following areas may experience winds of 62 to 88 km/h within the next 24 hours:

• Batanes

• Cagayan

• Babuyan Islands

• Northeastern Isabela (San Mariano, Ilagan City, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano)

• Eastern Apayao (Luna, Santa Marcela, Pudtol, Flora)

• Eastern Kalinga (Rizal)

Areas Under TCWS No. 1

The rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Kalinga, the rest of Apayao, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, northern Zambales, northern and central Nueva Ecija, northern and central Tarlac, Aurora, and the northern and central portions of Catanduanes remain under TCWS No. 1 with winds of 39 to 61 km/h expected.

Forecast Track

PAGASA said Nando is expected to turn west-northwest today and may pass close to or make landfall over Batanes or Babuyan Islands between Monday afternoon and evening. It is forecast to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by early Tuesday morning.

The typhoon is likely to become a super typhoon before reaching Extreme Northern Luzon, PAGASA added.

Heavy Rainfall and Strong Winds

The combined effects of Nando and the Southwest Monsoon may bring heavy rains and strong to gale-force winds over Metro Manila, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Zamboanga Peninsula, Caraga, and Davao Region on September 21; and similar conditions over BARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Dinagat Islands on September 22–23.

PAGASA urged local disaster risk reduction and management offices to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas are advised to prepare for possible evacuations.

Coastal Waters Warning

A gale warning is in effect over the northern and eastern seaboards of Northern Luzon. Seas could reach:

• Up to 11 m over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan

• Up to 8.0 m over the remaining seaboards of mainland Cagayan

• Up to 5.5 m over Isabela’s seaboard

• Up to 4.5 m over the northeastern seaboard of Aurora and the northern seaboard of Ilocos Norte

Sea travel remains risky for all vessels, especially small boats and motorbancas, PAGASA warned. Mariners are advised to remain in port or seek safe harbor until conditions improve.

The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 11:00 a.m. today.