'Nina' gains more strength; 6 areas under signal 3

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon "Nina" (international name: Hagupit) gained more strength and inched closer toward extreme northern Luzon early Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. In its 5 a.m. advisory, Pagasa said "Nina" was 230 km east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan or 270 km southeast of Basco, Batanes as of 4 a.m. "Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan and Calayan group of islands, Ilocos Norte, Apayao, Isabela, Kalinga, Abra, Mt. province and Ilcos Sur will have stormy weather while the rest of Northern Luzon, Aurora, Tarlac, Zambales and Pampanga will experience rains and gusty winds," it said. It added the rest of Luzon and Visayas will have monsoon rains while Mindanao will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening. "Nina" packed maximum sustained winds of 160 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 195 kph, and was moving west northwest at 19 kph. By Tuesday morning it is expected to be 190 km west southwest of Basco, Batanes or 180 km north northwest of Laoag City. By Wednesday morning it is expected to be 600 km west northwest of Basco, Batanes. By Thursday morning it is expected to be 1,020 km west northwest of Basco, Batanes or 270 km west of Hong Kong. Under Storm Signal No.3 are Batanes, Cagayan, Babuyan, Calayan Group of Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Apayao. Under Storm Signal No. 2 are Isabela, Kalinga, Abra, Mt. Province, and Ilocos Sur. Meanwhile, areas under Storm Signal No. 1 are Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Benguet, La Union, Tarlac, Zambales, and Pampanga. Pagasa said "Nina" will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Luzon and Visayas particularly over the western sections. It advised residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes to take all the necessary precautions against possible flash floods and landslides. Those living in coastal areas under Storm Signals 2 and 3 were also alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by "Nina." Meanwhile, moderate to strong winds blowing from the west and southwest will prevail over the rest of Luzon and Visayas and the coastal waters along these areas will be moderate to rough. Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate blowing from the southwest will prevail with slight to moderate seas except during thunderstorms. - GMANews.TV