'Nika' makes landfall over Aurora; strong winds, rains in N. Luzon

MANILA – Typhoon Nika (international name Toraji) has made landfall over Dilasag, Aurora, and will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rains across Northern Luzon.

Nika was located in the vicinity of San Agustin, Isabela as of 10 a.m. Monday, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).

The typhoon packs maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 180 kph.

"Areas where tropical cyclone wind signal (TCWS) Nos. 1 to 4 are raised will experience strong to typhoon-force winds. We urge the people in these areas to stay indoors and coordinate with their LGUs (local government units) for safety precautions," PAGASA forecaster Chris Perez said in briefing before noon.

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), Kalinga, Mountain Province, the northern portion of Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Mayoyao, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hungduan, Hingyon, Lagawe), the central and southern portion of Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, San Juan, Tayum, Langiden, Luba, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Lagangilang, Tubo, Danglas, Villaviciosa, La Paz, Licuan-Baay, Pilar, Malibcong, Pe, San Isidro, Daguioman, San Quintin, Dolores, Lagayan, Bangued, Bucay, Lacub), and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, San Emilio, Lidlidda, Banayoyo, Santiago, San Esteban, Burgos, Santa Maria, Magsingal, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Nagbukel, San Ildefonso, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Bantay, Santo Domingo, Narvacan, Quirino, Cervantes, Sigay, Salcedo, Santa Lucia, City of Candon, Galimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar, Santa Cruz).

Areas under TCWS No. 3 are the central portion of Aurora (Dinalungan), the northern portion of Quirino (Diffun, Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Saguday, Maddela), the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Kasibu, Ambaguio, Bayombong), the rest of Isabela, the southwestern portion of Cagayan (Enrile, Solana, Tuao, Tuguegarao City, Rizal, Piat), the southern portion of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao), the rest of Abra, 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 the rest of Ilocos Sur.

Those under TCWS No. 2 are 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 Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Quirino, 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), the central portion of Aurora (Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler) and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan, Lupao, San Jose City).

TCWS No. 1 is hoisted over Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, 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, Pila) and the northern and eastern portions of Quezon (Infanta, Sampaloc, Mauban, Real, General Nakar), including Polillo Island.

"If you notice you may not feel the strong winds in Metro Manila which is under TCWS No. 1. Please note that people in areas under TCWS No. 1 are also advised to stay indoors and take precautions," Perez said.

Intense to torrential rains are forecast in Aurora, Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga and Apayao.

Heavy to intense rains will be experienced over Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union, while moderate to heavy rains will prevail in Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac and Pangasinan.

"Flooding and landslide are possible in these places, especially low-lying areas. Those that have experienced heavy rains for the past two days are more prone to flooding and landslide," Perez said.

There is a moderate to high risk of storm surge 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 and Camarines Sur.

Gale warning is hoisted over the eastern seaboard of Luzon and the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon. Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels.

"All areas under TCWS Nos. 1 to 4 are not suitable for maritime activity," Perez said. (PNA)