Nando joins Mirasol as 2 tropical depressions in PAR

The Tropical Depression (TD) monitored east of Southeastern Luzon entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Wednesday evening.

PAGASA said the TD entered PAR at 8 p.m. and will be given the local name “Nando.”

TD Mirasol earlier entered PAR this week, bringing heavy rains and strong winds to several areas in Luzon.

Mirasol made landfall in Casiguran, Aurora early Wednesday.

Based on PAGASA’s 11 p.m. bulletin, Nando was located 1,140 km east of Southeastern Luzon, moving west northwestward at 15 km/h.

It has maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h. 

State meteorologist said Nando may enhance the Southwest Monsoon as it approaches the landmass.

It added that Signal No. 1 may be raised over Northern Luzon as early as Saturday, September 20.

“The highest Wind Signal that may be hoisted throughout its passage is Wind Signal No. 5, considering that this tropical cyclone may reach super typhoon category,” PAGASA said.

“Further intensification into super typhoon category is not ruled out,” it added.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is hoisted in several areas in Luzon as Mirasol reaches the coastal waters of Ilocos Norte.

These areas are the following:

• Batanes
• Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• Northern portion of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Santa Maria, Quezon, Roxas, Delfin Albano, San Pablo, Tumauini, Cabagan, Quirino, Mallig, Maconacon, San Mateo, Aurora, Cabatuan, San Manuel, Burgos, Gamu, Reina Mercedes, Luna, Ilagan City, Divilacan)
• Apayao
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Eastern and northern portions of Ifugao (Mayoyao, Hungduan, Aguinaldo, Banaue, Alfonso Lista, Hingyon)
• Ilocos Norte
• Northern and central portions of Ilocos Sur (Sinait, Cabugao, San Juan, Magsingal, Santo Domingo, Bantay, San Vicente, San Ildefonso, Santa Catalina, City of Vigan, Caoayan, Santa, Cervantes, Quirino, San Emilio, Gregorio del Pilar, San Esteban, Banayoyo, Burgos, City of Candon, Santa Lucia, Santiago, Lidlidda, Nagbukel, Suyo, Sigay, Galimuyod, Santa Cruz, Santa Maria, Narvacan, Salcedo)

Mirasol was observed over the coastal waters of Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, carrying maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 75 km/h. It was traveling north northwestward at 10 km/h

The state weather bureau said Mirasol is expected to intensify into a tropical storm Thursday morning and will remain in that category throughout the forecast period.

“However, further intensification to severe tropical storm is not ruled out,” PAGASA said.

It also maintained that hoisting of Wind Signal No. 2 is possible over some portions of Northern Luzon.

PAGASA also said Mirasol is forecast to move generally west northwestward within the next 24 hours, then generally northwestward until it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday. —LDF, GMA Integrated News