Signal No. 1 raised over Catanduanes due to TD Nika — PAGASA

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over Catanduanes after the low pressure area (LPA) which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) before dawn on Saturday intensified into a tropical depression, weather service PAGASA said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin on Saturday, PAGASA said that under Signal No. 1, strong winds of 39-61 kph may be expected in 36 hours or more. Potential threat to life and property was placed at minimal to minor as of posting time.

The tropical depression has been named Nika upon entering the PAR. According to PAGASA, Nika is forecast to gradually intensify and may reach severe tropical storm category by Monday ahead of its landfall.

Further, the northeasterly wind flow is expected to bring strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, northern Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte on Sunday.

Heavy Rainfall Outlook

Due to Tropical Depression Nika, the following areas were expected to experience moderate to heavy rainfall (50-100 mm) from Sunday to Monday noon (Nov. 11):

• Cagayan
• Isabela
• Aurora
• Quezon
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes

Heavy rainfall is also expected from Monday noon to Tuesday noon over the following:

Intense to Torrential (> 200 mm)

• Cagayan, Apayao, and Isabela

Heavy to Intense (100 – 200 mm)

• Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Aurora

Moderate to Heavy (50 – 100 mm)

• Ifugao and Quirino

Nika is predicted to move generally west northwestward throughout the forecast period.

Storm by Monday

Based on the track forecast, Nika may make landfall over Isabela or Aurora on Monday.

"This tropical cyclone is forecast to gradually intensify and may reach severe tropical storm category by Monday (11 November) morning prior to landfall," PAGASA said.

PAGASA added that weakening is expected during Nika's passage due to interaction with the terrain of mainland Luzon, but it will likely remain as a severe tropical storm.

The center of Tropical Depression Nika was estimated based on all available data at 1,145 km east of southeastern Luzon.

Moving westward at 30 kph, it has maximum sustained winds of 55 kph near the center and gusts of up to 70 kph. — VDV, GMA Integrated News