‘Nika’ intensifies into tropical storm, 8 areas placed under Signal 1

Metro Manila, Philippines – Tropical depression ‘Nika’ has intensified into a tropical storm, the latest weather bulletin showed.

State forecasters earlier said ‘Nika’ may intensify into a severe tropical storm on Monday, Nov. 11.

It also warned the storm may make landfall over Isabela or Aurora on the same day.

“Regardless of the position of the landfall point, it must be emphasized that hazards may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast confidence cone,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

More areas were also placed under cyclone wind signal number 1. These are the southeastern portion of Isabela, the northern portion of Aurora, the southeastern portion of mainland Quezon, Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and the northeastern portion of Albay.

‘Nika’ was last seen east of southeastern Luzon, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour.

Meanwhile, another low pressure area outside PAR may also intensify into a tropical depression in the next 24 hours.

It was last seen 2,700 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao.