Super typhoon ‘Nando’ made its landfall over Panuitan Island in Calayan, Cagayan on Monday afternoon and is now moving away from the Babuyan Islands, where tropical cyclone wind signal no. 5 remains, according to the state weather bureau.
As of 5:00 p.m. on September 22, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said ‘Nando’ was tracked over the coastal waters of Calayan, Cagayan while moving westward at 25 kilometers per hour (kph).
It maintained its strength and is forecast to slightly intensify as it approaches the West Philippine Sea. Latest monitoring showed that the super typhoon had maximum sustained winds of 215 kph and gusts of up to 295 kph.
“After making landfall over Panuitan Is., Calayan, Cagayan at 3:00 PM today (Monday), ‘Nando’ will move away from the Babuyan Islands tonight. On the track forecast, it will exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow (23 September) morning,” PAGASA said in its updated weather bulletin.
“’Nando’ is at its peak intensity, although slight intensification is still not ruled out. Nevertheless, the super typhoon is forecast to begin weakening within the next 24 hours due to marginally favorable environment that it will encounter over the West Philippine Sea,” the state weather bureau added.
PAGASA has earlier warned of life-threatening storm surges attributed to the effects of ‘Nando’ with peak heights exceeding 3.0 meters over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur.
Weather forecasters also largely maintained tropical cyclone wind signals hoisted in the following affected areas across Luzon:
SIGNAL NO. 4
The southern portion of Batanes (Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan, Sabtang), , the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Camalaniugan), the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Burgos, Bangui, Dumalneg, Adams)
SIGNAL NO. 3
- The rest of Batanes, the central portion of mainland Cagayan (Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Alcala, Santo Niño, Lasam, Allacapan, Rizal, Amulung, Piat), the northern and central portions of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Pudtol, Luna, Calanasan, Kabugao), and the rest of Ilocos Norte
SIGNAL NO. 2
- The rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, the rest of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Bakun, Kibungan), the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi), Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of La Union (Sudipen, Bangar, Luna, Balaoan, Santol)
SIGNAL NO. 1
- Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Benguet, the rest of La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, and the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar) including Polillo Islands
