Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 remains in effect over five areas in northern Luzon as Typhoon “Nika” (international name: Toraji) continues to batter the region.
In its 5 p.m. bulletin, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that the center of Nika was located over Besao, Mountain Province.
The typhoon is packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) with gusts reaching 200 kph.
Due to Nika’s continuous effect, wind signals remain raised over several areas.
Signal No. 4 is still in place over Kalinga, Mountain Province, northern Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Mayoyao, Alfonso Lista, Banaue, Hungduan, Hingyon, Lagawe), central and southern portions of Abra (Manabo, Pidigan, San Juan, Tayum, Langiden, Luba, Boliney, Sallapadan, Bucloc, Lagangilang, Tubo, Danglas, Villaviciosa, La Paz, Licuan-Baay, Pilar, Malibcong, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, Daguioman, San Quintin, Dolores, Lagayan, Bangued, Bucay, Lacub), and northern and central parts of Ilocos Sur (Cabugao, Sinait, San Juan, San Emilio, Lidlidda, Banayoyo, Santiago, San Esteban, Burgos, Santa Maria, Magsingal, San Vicente, Santa Catalina, Nagbukel, San Ildefonso, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Bantay, Santo Domingo, Narvacan, Quirino, Cervantes, Sigay, Salcedo, Santa Lucia, City of Candon, Galimuyod, Gregorio del Pilar, Santa Cruz).
Signal No. 3 also remains raised over northern Quirino (Diffun, Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Saguday, Maddela), northeastern Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Kasibu, Ambaguio, Bayombong), central portion of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, San Mariano, Ilagan City, Benito Soliven, San Guillermo, City of Cauayan, Gamu, Naguilian, Alicia, Angadanan, San Isidro, City of Santiago, Echague, Jones, San Agustin, Delfin Albano, Quirino, Burgos, Reina Mercedes, Luna, Cabagan, Tumauini, San Pablo, Quezon, Mallig, Roxas, San Manuel, Aurora, Cabatuan, San Mateo, Ramon, Cordon), southwestern Cagayan (Enrile, Solana, Tuao, Tuguegarao City, Rizal, Piat), southern Apayao (Conner, Kabugao), the rest of Abra, the rest of Ifugao, northern Benguet (Buguias, Mankayan, Bakun), southern Ilocos Norte (Laoag City, Sarrat, San Nicolas, Piddig, Marcos, Nueva Era, Dingras, Bacarra, Solsona, Paoay, Currimao, Pinili, Badoc, City of Batac, Banna), and the rest of Ilocos Sur.
Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 is up over the northwestern and eastern portions of Cagayan (Iguig, Peñablanca, Baggao, Alcala, Amulung, Santo Niño, Gattaran, Lasam, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Allacapan, Ballesteros, Lal-Lo, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga), the rest of Isabela, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Quirino, the rest of Apayao, the rest of Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Norte, La Union, northeastern Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, Sison, San Manuel, Umingan, Tayug), northern and central parts of Aurora (Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler, Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan), and northern Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan, Lupao, San Jose City).
Signal No. 1 remains in effect over Babuyan Islands, the rest of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, the rest of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan, San Marcelino, San Felipe, San Narciso), and northeastern Quezon (General Nakar, including Pollilo Islands).
PAGASA said Typhoon Nika will traverse the landmass of mainland Luzon and emerge over the sea west of Ilocos Sur by Monday evening.
While the storm's center will continue to shift in the coming hours, it is important to note that hazards may still be felt in areas outside the forecast confidence cone, both on land and along coastal waters, it added.
PAGASA warned of widespread and severe flooding and landslides due to intense to torrential rains (over 200 millimeters) in Aurora, Cagayan, Abra, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Apayao until Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 12.
Heavy to intense rainfall (100 to 200 millimeters) may also continue in Ilocos Norte, Isabela, Ilocos Sur, and La Union.
Meanwhile, moderate to heavy rainfall (50 to 100 millimeters) may prevail over Tarlac, Nueva Vizcaya, and Pangasinan.
Nika is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Tuesday morning.