'Lando' reenters RP as 'Mina' weakens; 3rd threat spotted

(Updated 12:31 p.m.) Typhoon "Mina" (international name: Mitag) weakened slightly as it crossed Northern Luzon on Monday morning, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said. Pagasa also said tropical storm "Lando" (international name: Hagibis) intensified and already reentered Philippine territory. "'Mina' is now crossing Northern Luzon as we speak. It slightly weakened but its winds still top 100 kph. As of now it has passed Isabela," said Nathaniel Cruz, head of the Pagasa weather branch, said in Filipino on dzBB radio. In its 10 a.m. advisory, Pagasa spotted "Mina" over Ilocos Norte and packed maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph. It was moving north-northeast at 11 kph and was expected to be in the vicinity of Basco, Batanes by Tuesday morning. He said "Mina" was likely to lash Kalinga and Apayao provinces as well. Cagayan province has also suffered a whipping from the typhoon. As for "Lando," Cruz said it will bring rains to Palawan and Bicol. Given "Lando's" recent activities at sea, Cruz said, it may turn into something like last year's super typhoon "Milenyo." QTV Balitanghali reported that "Lando" was spotted 390 km west northwest of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan, carrying maximum sustained winds of 95 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 120 kph. It was moving east northeast at a pace of 15 kph. Cruz cited a third threat, tropical depression "Nonoy," forming east of Visayas. He said this weather disturbance, still a low pressure area as of Monday noon, was expected to enter Philippine territory in the next 12 to 24 hours. "'Nonoy' may hit Bicol or Luzon, but we'll see what happens in the next two to three days," he said. By Wednesday morning Pagasa expected "Mina" to be 350 km northeast of Basco, Batanes. Come Thursday morning, it is forecast to be 780 km northeast of Basco, Batanes or 160 km south-southeast of Okinawa, Japan. The typhoon's activity prompted state weather forecasters to declare Storm Signal 3 in Cagayan, Kalinga, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Babuyan Group of Islands, and Batanes Group of Islands. Storm Signal 2 was in effect over Isabela, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Benguet, La Union, and Ilocos Sur. Under Storm Signal 1 are Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Tarlac and Pangasinan. However, Pagasa raised a separate warning because of "Lando," raising Storm Signal 2 over north Palawan and the Calamian Group of Islands, QTV Balitanghali reported. Pagasa reminded residents in low-lying areas and near mountain slopes against possible flashfloods, mudslides and landslides, and those in coastal areas to be alert for big waves or storm surges. - GMANews.TV