MANILA, Philippines — Signal No. 3 has been raised over three Northern Luzon provinces as Super Typhoon Nando maintained its strength while moving west-northwestward over the Philippine Sea, the weather agency said on Sunday.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the affected areas include the southern portion of Batanes (Mahatao, Uyugan, Basco, Ivana and Sabtang), Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana).
Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 is up over the rest of Batanes, the rest of mainland Cagayan, the northern and eastern portions of Isabela (San Mariano, Ilagan City, Tumauini, Cabagan, Palanan, Divilacan, Maconacon, San Pablo, Santa Maria, Santo Tomas, Delfin Albano, Quezon, Quirino, Mallig, Roxas and Gamu), Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, the eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis), Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Ildefonso, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Nagbukel, Narvacan and Santa Maria).
Signal No. 1 was hoisted over the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, the northern and central portions of Zambales ( Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Iba, Palauig, Cabangan, and Botolan), Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Aurora, the northern portion of Pampanga ( Mabalacat City, Magalang, Arayat, Candaba, Angeles City, Porac, Mexico, Santa Ana, San Luis, City of San Fernando and Bacolor), the northern portion of Bulacan ( Doña Remedios Trinidad, San Ildefonso, San Miguel and San Rafael), and the northern portion of Quezon ( General Nakar) including Polillo Islands.
Estimated some 450 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, “Nando” was moving at 15 kilometers per hour (kph) and packing maximum sustained winds of 185 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph.
Pagasa said the super typhoon may pass close or may make landfall over Batanes or Babuyan Islands by Monday afternoon or evening before it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility by early Tuesday morning.
Other parts of the archipelago including Metro Manila is affected by the southwest monsoon or habagat.
