The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) on Monday evening reported that Super Typhoon “Nando” (international name: Ragasa) continues to move away from the Babuyan Islands.
According to the state weather bureau’s 8 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, Nando was last estimated 85 kilometers west-northwest of Calayan, Cagayan. It is moving westward at 20 kilometers per hour (kph)
Tropical cyclone wind signal no. 5 has since been lifted from the Babuyan Islands, which are now under Signal No. 4.
Other areas under Signal No. 4 include the northwestern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona), as well as the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Burgos, Bangui, Dumalneg, Adams).
Although the super typhoon still has maximum sustained winds of 215 kph, its gusts are now up to 265 kph — down from 295 kph in the previous tropical cyclone bulletin issued at 5 p.m. on Monday.
“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 a marginally favorable environment that it will encounter over the West Philippine Sea,” PAGASA said.
The tropical cyclone will continue moving away from the Babuyan Islands tonight, before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) tomorrow morning.
