Tropical Depression Nando tracked slowly over the Philippine Sea Thursday, Sept. 18, with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warning it may intensify into a super typhoon as it moves toward Northern Luzon.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, the agency said the weather disturbance is forecast to move slowly northwestward over the Philippine Sea in the next 48 hours before turning west northwestward by Saturday afternoon towards Extreme Northern Luzon.

“NANDO will continue to intensify while over the Philippine Sea and may reach typhoon category by Saturday. Further intensification into super typhoon category while traversing the Extreme Northern Luzon is not ruled out,” PAGASA said.

The agency urged disaster risk reduction offices and residents in high-risk areas to be ready.

“Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials,” PAGASA said.

As of 10 a.m., the center of Nando was located 1,335 kilometers east of Southeastern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, gustiness of up to 70 kph, the state weather bureau said.

“Nando is less likely to directly affect the weather in the next 48 hours. Onset of heavy rains due to the Southwest Monsoon and NANDO is possible by Sunday (September 21) or Monday (September 22),” the agency reported.

No Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) has been raised yet, but PAGASA warned that Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over Northern Luzon as early as Saturday, Sept. 20.

“The highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout its passage is Wind Signal No. 5 considering that this tropical cyclone has a possibility to reach super typhoon category,” the weather bureau said.

PAGASA said the tropical depression is expected to enhance the Southwest Monsoon, bringing strong to gale-force gusts over several areas in Luzon, including Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, and Quezon, as well as parts of the Visayas.

For Thursday, Sept. 18, gusty conditions are expected over La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Metro Manila, Cavite, Batangas, Tarlac, Pampanga, Benguet, MIMAROPA, Quezon, the Bicol Region, and Western Visayas, the agency said. 

By Friday, Sept. 19, these will persist over the Ilocos Region, Zambales, Bataan, Occidental Mindoro, and Palawan. On Saturday, Sept. 20, the effects will be felt in Western Visayas, the Negros Island Region, Romblon, and Masbate, it added.

PAGASA also said moderate seas, with waves reaching up to two meters, are expected along the eastern seaboard of mainland Cagayan, the seaboards of Batanes, Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, as well as the western seaboard of Pangasinan.

“Mariners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions,” the state weather bureau warned.