'Nika' now a typhoon; signal no. 4 up in parts of N. Luzon

MANILA – Nika (international name Toraji) has intensified into a typhoon, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph, the weather bureau said in its 5 a.m. bulletin Monday.

The typhoon was tracked at 100 km. east southeast of Casiguran, Aurora as of 4 a.m.

Tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) no. 4 is hoisted over the northernmost portion of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran), the central and southern portions of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, San Guillermo, Jones, Echague, Ramon, San Isidro, City of Santiago, Cordon, Roxas, Burgos, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, Gamu, San Manuel, Aurora, San Mateo, Cabatuan, Alicia, Luna, City of Cauayan, Angadanan, Quezon, Mallig, Quirino, Ilagan City, Delfin Albano, San Agustin), the southeastern portion of Abra (Tubo, Boliney, Daguioman, Bucloc, Malibcong), the central and eastern portions of Mountain Province (Sadanga, Bontoc, Barlig, Natonin, Paracelis), the eastern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Mayoyao, Alfonso Lista), and the western and southern portions of Kalinga (Tanudan, Tinglayan, Pasil, Lubuagan, Balbalan, City of Tabuk). Typhoon-force winds will prevail in these areas.

Storm-force winds will be experienced in areas under TCWS no. 3: the northern portion of Aurora (Dinalungan), the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Kasibu, Ambaguio, Bayombong), the northern portion of Quirino (Diffun, Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Saguday, Maddela), the rest of Isabela, the southwestern portion of Cagayan (Enrile, Solana, Tuao, Tuguegarao City, Rizal, Piat), the rest of Abra, the southern portion of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao), the rest of Kalinga, the rest of Mountain Province, the rest of Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Buguias, Mankayan, Bakun), the southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Laoag City, Sarrat, San Nicolas, Piddig, Marcos, Nueva Era, Dingras, Bacarra, Solsona, Paoay, Currimao, Pinili, Badoc, City of Batac, Banna), and Ilocos Sur.

Gale-force winds are expected in areas where TCWS no. 2 is hoisted: the central portion of Aurora (Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Quirino, the northwestern and eastern portions of Cagayan (Iguig, Peñablanca, Baggao, Alcala, Amulung, Santo Niño, Gattaran, Lasam, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Allacapan, Ballesteros, Lal-Lo, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga), the rest of Apayao, the rest of Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Norte, La Union, the northeastern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, Sison, San Manuel, Umingan, Tayug), and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan, Lupao, San Jose City).

Strong winds will prevail in areas under TCWS no. 1: rest of Aurora, the rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Pangasinan, the rest of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, the northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan, San Marcelino, San Felipe, San Narciso), Metro Manila, Rizal, the eastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Mabitac, Pakil, Pangil, Famy, Siniloan, Paete, Kalayaan, Cavinti, Lumban, Luisiana, Santa Cruz, Magdalena, Pagsanjan, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pila, Victoria), the northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Calauag, Infanta, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Mauban, Perez, Real, General Nakar, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan) including Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, and the northeastern portion of Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Garchitorena, Lagonoy).

"There is a moderate to high risk of storm surge that may occur in the next 48 hours in the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Zambales, Aurora, Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, and Catanduanes," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

It added that gale warning is hoisted over the eastern seaboard of Luzon and the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon.

Meanwhile, PAGASA forecasts Nika to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora on Monday.

The typhoon could intensify before landfall, PAGASA warned. (PNA)