MANILA, Philippines – Nika intensified from a tropical depression into a tropical storm on Saturday afternoon, November 9.
It was given the international name Toraji, a name contributed by North Korea which refers to the broad bell flower.
Nika’s maximum sustained winds increased from 55 kilometers per hour to 65 km/h, said the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in a briefing past 5 pm on Saturday. Its gustiness is now up to 80 km/h from 70 km/h.
The tropical storm was last spotted 1,005 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, still far from land. It accelerated, moving west at an even faster 35 km/h from the previous 30 km/h.
The following areas are under Signal No. 1 as of 5 pm on Saturday, which means they have 36 hours to prepare ahead of the arrival of strong winds from Nika:
- southeastern part of Isabela (Dinapigue)
- northern part of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan)
- southeastern part of mainland Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan)
- Polillo Islands
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Catanduanes
- northeastern part of Albay (Malinao, Tiwi, Tabaco City, Bacacay, Malilipot, Rapu-Rapu)
The highest possible tropical cyclone wind signal due to Nika is Signal No. 3.
PAGASA added that the northeasterly windflow will bring strong to gale-force gusts to Batanes, northern Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte on Sunday, November 10.
Also on Sunday, moderate to heavy rain from Nika will start hitting parts of Luzon. Affected areas must watch out for floods and landslides.
Sunday afternoon, November 10, to Monday afternoon, November 11
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters): Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes
Monday afternoon, November 11, to Tuesday afternoon, November 12
- Intense to torrential rain (more than 200 mm): Cagayan, Apayao, Isabela
- Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Aurora
- Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Ifugao, Quirino
In the next 24 hours, sea conditions will be moderate to rough.
Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea)
- Northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes; seaboard of Kalayaan Islands; northern seaboard of Camarines Sur – waves up to 3 meters high
Up to moderate seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible)
- Seaboards of Isabela, northern Aurora, and Camarines Norte; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands and Northern Samar; eastern seaboards of Babuyan Islands, mainland Cagayan, Albay, and Sorsogon – waves up to 2.5 meters high
- Remaining seaboards of Cagayan Valley; seaboard of Ilocos Region; western seaboards of Zambales, Bataan, Lubang Islands, Occidental Mindoro, Calamian Islands, and mainland Palawan; eastern seaboards of Camarines Sur, Eastern Samar, and Dinagat Islands – waves up to 2 meters high
ALSO ON RAPPLER
- Rappler Talk: What’s in store for Filipino immigrants in the US under Trump?
- US touts ‘PH leadership’ after Marcos signs law that defines maritime zones
- Chot Reyes savors TNT championship a year after Gilas Pilipinas exit
- Brownlee hopes for rematch vs Hollis-Jefferson, TNT after back-to-back finals losses
PAGASA expects Nika to make landfall in Isabela or Aurora on Monday afternoon or evening, November 11. But the weather bureau emphasized that “hazards may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast confidence cone,” so Luzon in general must prepare for the tropical cyclone.
Nika may also intensify further into a severe tropical storm by Monday morning. It might weaken once it hits the terrain of mainland Luzon, but it is likely to remain a severe tropical storm by that time.
Nika is the Philippines’ 14th tropical cyclone for 2024, and the second for November, coming immediately after Typhoon Marce (Yinxing), which battered Northern Luzon.
Nika could leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday, November 12.
Clik here to view.
Meanwhile, the low pressure area (LPA) located outside PAR remained 2,700 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao on Saturday afternoon.
The LPA still has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours. – Rappler.com