The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued Signal No. 4 in its 5 a.m. bulletin on Monday, Nov. 11, as Severe Tropical Storm “Nika” (international name: Toraji) intensified into a typhoon while hovering over the sea, east of Aurora.

Nika now has maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts reaching 150 kph.

PAGASA has warned of significant to severe impacts from typhoon-force winds in areas under Signal No. 4, which include the northernmost part of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran), central and southern parts of Isabela (Dinapigue, San Mariano, San Guillermo, Jones, Echague, Ramon, San Isidro, City of Santiago, Cordon, Roxas, Burgos, Reina Mercedes, Naguilian, Benito Soliven, Gamu, San Manuel, Aurora, San Mateo, Cabatuan, Alicia, Luna, City of Cauayan, Angadanan, Quezon, Mallig, Quirino, Ilagan City, Delfin Albano, San Agustin), southeastern Abra (Tubo, Boliney, Daguioman, Bucloc, Malibcong), central and eastern portions of Mountain Province (Sadanga, Bontoc, Barlig, Natonin, Paracelis), eastern Ifugao (Aguinaldo, Mayoyao, Alfonso Lista), and western and southern parts of Kalinga (Tanudan, Tinglayan, Pasil, Lubuagan, Balbalan, City of Tabuk).

Signal No. 3 has also been raised over the northern part of Aurora (Dinalungan), northeastern Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi, Bagabag, Quezon, Solano, Villaverde, Kasibu, Ambaguio, Bayombong), northern Quirino (Diffun, Cabarroguis, Aglipay, Saguday, Maddela), the rest of Isabela, southwestern Cagayan (Enrile, Solana, Tuao, Tuguegarao City, Rizal, Piat), the rest of Abra, southern Apayao (Conner, Kabugao), the rest of Kalinga, the rest of Mountain Province, 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 Ilocos Sur. Moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds are possible within the areas under Signal No. 3.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 2 remains in effect over central Aurora (Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Quirino, northwestern and eastern parts 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 Apayao, the rest of Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Norte, La Union, northeastern Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin, Sison, San Manuel, Umingan, Tayug), and northern Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan, Lupao, San Jose City). Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible in areas under Signal No. 2.

Signal No. 1 is up over the rest of Aurora, the rest of Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), the rest of Pangasinan, the rest of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, the northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan, San Marcelino, San Felipe, San Narciso), Metro Manila, Rizal, eastern Laguna (Santa Maria, Mabitac, Pakil, Pangil, Famy, Siniloan, Paete, Kalayaan, Cavinti, Lumban, Luisiana, Santa Cruz, Magdalena, Pagsanjan, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pila, Victoria), northern and eastern parts of Quezon (Calauag, Infanta, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Mauban, Perez, Real, General Nakar, Tagkawayan, Guinayangan, including Pollilo Islands), Camarines Norte, and northeastern Camarines Sur (Siruma, Tinambac, Garchitorena, Lagonoy).

Typhoon track

As of 4 a.m., the center of Nika was located 100 kilometers east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora. It is moving west-northwestward at 20 kph.

PAGASA said Nika will make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora on Monday morning.

Despite the landfall forecast, PAGASA emphasized that hazardous conditions may extend to areas outside the projected landfall point.

After landfall, it is expected to traverse mainland Luzon before emerging over the sea, west of Ilocos Sur, by Monday evening. 

The storm will continue west-northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Tuesday morning or afternoon, Nov. 12.

Heavy rainfall, flooding

PAGASA also warned of moderate to heavy with, at times, intense rains that could lead to flooding and landslides across Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Aurora, and Nueva Ecija.

It also warned of possible flooding or landslides due to moderate to heavy rains in Metro Manila, the rest of Central Luzon, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Albay.

The trough or extension of Nika may also bring moderate to, at times, heavy rains across the rest of Luzon.