Tropical cyclone Neneng (international name: Nesat) made landfall over Calayan Island in Cagayan after intensifying into a severe tropical storm, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said on Sunday morning, Oct. 16.

Neneng developed into a severe tropical storm at 2 a.m., it then made landfall over Calayan Island in Cagayan at 3:50 a.m.

The weather disturbance’s center was last spotted in the vicinity of Calayan, Cagayan packing maximum winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustines of up to 130 kph.

Wind Signals 3, 2, and 1

Following Neneng’s further intensification, PAGASA hoisted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 over the southern portion of Batanes and Babuyan Islands. Wind Signal No. 2, on the other hand, remained raised over the rest of Batanes, the rest of Cagayan, Apayao, the northern portion of Abra, and Ilocos Norte.

Areas under TCWS No. 1 include the northern and central portions of Isabela, Kalinga, the rest of Abra, Mountain Province, the northern portion of Ifugao, and the northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur.

'Neneng' to drench parts of Luzon until Sunday evening

“Heavy to intense with at times torrential rains likely over Apayao, Ilocos Norte, and the northern portion of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands . Moderate to heavy with at times intense rains likely over Abra, Kalinga, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, and the rest of Cagayan. Light to moderate with at times heavy rains possible over the Batanes, Mountain Province, rest of Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of Isabela,” said PAGASA in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

Apart from intense rains and strong winds, residents of these areas were warned to be vigilant against “scattered to widespread flooding” and rain-induced landslides.

Neneng is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on Sunday evening or Monday morning, Oct. 17.