Cyclone ‘Nika’ weakened into severe tropical storm on Monday evening as it hovered over Sinait, Ilocos Sur, prompting state weather bureau PAGASA to lift higher levels of tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) on some of the affected areas.
The storm was last monitored moving northwestward at 30 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 150 km/h. It was approaching Calayan, Cagayan, according to the 11:00 p.m. advisory of PAGASA.
As of this posting, TCWS no. 2 remains hoisted on the provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Abra.
The following areas, meanwhile, are placed under TCWS No. 1:
- La Union, the northwestern portion of Pangasinan (Bolinao, Bani, City of Alaminos, Agno, Sual, Anda), Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and the northwestern portion of Isabela (San Pablo, Santa Maria, Cabagan, Santo Tomas, Quezon, Delfin Albano, Mallig, Roxas, San Manuel, Aurora, Quirino, Burgos, Tumauini, Gamu, San Mateo, Luna, Reina Mercedes, Cabatuan, Ilagan City)
The provinces of Ilocos Norte and Cagayan continue to experience heavy to intense rainfall. ‘Nika’ is also bringing moderate to heavy rains on Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Abra, Benguet, Ifugao, Isabela, Ilocos Sur, La Union and Batanes.
“’Nika’ is forecast to continue weaken for the next days and may become a remnant low over the sea near southern China. Nevertheless, it will remain as a severe tropical storm throughout its passage within the PAR (Philippine area of responsibility) region,” PAGASA noted.
