Signal No 5 up as super typhoon threatens Babuyan Islands

September 22 ------ Weather bureau PAGASA hoisted Monday Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal no. 5 in the northern portion of Babuyan Islands as Super Typhoon Nando moves closer to the area. As of 4 a.m., the center of the eye of Nando was located 245 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan.

Packing 205 kph maximum winds near the center and gusts of up to 250 kph, Nando is moving west northwest at 20 kph, with strong to typhoon-force winds extend outwards up to 600 km from the center. Nando may make landfall over or pass very close to Babuyan Islands at peak intensity at noon or early afternoon today. Nando may exit the Philippine area of responsibility by early Tuesday morning. Life-threatening conditions from very violent winds, torrential rains, and storm surge exceeding three meters may be experienced along its immediate path.

The following Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are in effect:

TCWS No.5 (Extreme threat to life and property)

Luzon: The northern portion of Babuyan Islands (Babuyan Isl., Didicas Isl., Panuitan Isl., Calayan Isl.)

TCWS No.4 (Significant to severe threat to life and property)

Luzon: The southeastern portion of Batanes (Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan, Sabtang), the rest of Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana)

TCWS No.3 (Moderate to significant threat to life and property)

Luzon: The rest of Batanes, the northern and central portions of mainland Cagayan (Gonzaga, Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Alcala, Santo Niño, Lasam, Allacapan, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Aparri, Ballesteros, Abulug, Pamplona, Sanchez-Mira, Claveria, Santa Praxedes, Rizal, Amulung, Piat), the northern and central portions of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Pudtol, Luna, Calanasan, Kabugao), and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Norte (Carasi, Piddig, Vintar, Bacarra, Pasuquin, Burgos, Bangui, Dumalneg, Pagudpud, Adams, Nueva Era, Solsona, Dingras, Sarrat, Laoag City, San Nicolas, Currimao, Paoay, City of Batac, Marcos, Banna)

TCWS No.2

Luzon: The rest of Cagayan, Isabela, the rest of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Bakun, Kibungan), the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi), the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of La Union (Sudipen, Bangar, Luna, Balaoan, Santol)

TCWS No.1

Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Benguet, the rest of La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, and the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar) including Polillo Islands

Metro Manila, Central Luzon (areas not under wind signal), CALABARZON, Bicol Region, MIMAROPA, Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, Zamboanga Peninsula, BARMM, SOCCSKSARGEN, and Davao Region will experience strong to gale-force gusts due to the southwest monsoon and the trough of Nando.

Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and Apayao will also experience 200mm of rain due to the super typhoon while La Union, Kalinga, and Isabela will experience 100mm-200mm of rain. Pangasinan, Benguet, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Zambales will experience 50-100mm of rain due to Nando. Occidental Mindoro will also experience heavy to intense rainfall of 100-200mm while Metro Manila, Bataan, Cavite, Batangas,Laguna, Rizal, Oriental Mindoro, and Palawan will experience moderate to heavy rains of 50-100 mm due to the southwest monsoon.

The public is advised to continue monitoring updates and take all necessary actions to protect life and property. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area outside the PAR, almost 1,500 km east of Mindanao at 2 a.m. Monday now has medium chance potential for storm formation in the next 24 hours. It may enter the PAR Wednesday and will be named Opong.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com