‘Nika’ now severe tropical storm; Signal 2 up in Aurora, Isabela

Metro Manila, Philippines — Wind Signal 2 has been raised in two areas as “Nika” intensified into a severe tropical storm on Sunday, Nov. 10.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the southeastern portion of Isabela and the northern portion of Aurora are under Wind Signal 2 – minor to moderate threat to life may be expected.

The following areas are under Wind Signal 1:

+ southeastern portion of Cagayan

+ rest of Isabela

+ Quirino

+ Nueva Vizcaya

+ southeastern portion of Kalinga

+ eastern portion of Mountain Province

+ Ifugao

+ eastern portion of Pangasinan

+ rest of Aurora

+ Nueva Ecija

+ northeastern portion of Pampanga

+ northern and eastern portions of Bulacan

+ eastern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands

+ Camarines Norte

+ Camarines Sur

+ Catanduanes

+ northeastern portion of Albay

Residents under Signal 1 should beware of minimal to minor threat to life and property.

Meanwhile, the northeasterly windflow will cause strong to gale-force gusts over Batanes, Babuyan Islands, northern Cagayan, and Ilocos Norte.

PAGASA said there is a risk of storm surge occuring in low-lying or exposed coastal localities.

At 4 a.m., Nika was monitored 690 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.

It has maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 125 kph, moving west northwestward at 30 kph.

PAGASA said Nika is undergoing rapid intensification.