Nando intensifies into typhoon

MANILA, Philippines — Cyclone Nando has strengthened into a typhoon and may further intensify into a super typhoon by Monday as it approaches extreme northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned.

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, Nando was spotted 770 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela.

It carried maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, moving northwest at 10 kph.

PAGASA said the system could peak at 185 kph sustained winds near the center before reaching northern Luzon.

In its 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA raised Signal No. 1 over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, the northern and central portions of Aurora and the northern and central portions of Catanduanes. Winds of up to 61 kph are expected in these areas within 36 hours.

Authorities warned of storm surges reaching up to three meters along coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur in the coming days.

PAGASA’s three-day rainfall outlook indicated that more than 200 millimeters of rain may fall over Ilocos, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon, while the enhanced southwest monsoon could bring 50 to 200 millimeters of rainfall over Metro Manila, Zambales, Bataan, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and Antique.

The weather bureau cautioned that the combined effects of Nando and the monsoon may trigger widespread flooding and landslides.

On Sept. 21, when massive protest rallies against corruption in flood control projects are set to take place nationwide, PAGASA said most parts of the country will experience cloudy and rainy weather.

Cagayan Valley, Ilocos, Cordillera and Central Luzon, as well as Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes are forecast to have scattered rains and thunderstorms directly from Nando.

At the same time, the southwest monsoon will bring similar conditions over Metro Manila, MIMAROPA, the Zamboanga Peninsula, the Visayas and the provinces of Albay, Sorsogon, Masbate, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi. The rest of Mindanao will generally have fair weather with isolated rainshowers and thunderstorms.

A gale warning was hoisted for the coasts of Batanes, Isabela and Cagayan including the Babuyan Islands, where winds may reach 71 kph and waves could rise to 5.5 meters.

Red alert

In anticipation of Nando’s impact, the Manila city government and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) placed their disaster response units and offices under red alert status to ensure quick mobilization in case of emergencies.

Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao said field offices are on 24/7 standby to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and provide situational reports.

“We are ready to provide relief assistance to all families that will be affected by the effects of Nando,” Dumlao said, adding that the DSWD will also help LGUs manage evacuation centers to ensure the welfare of displaced families.

The agency has prepositioned more than 2.6 million family food packs in warehouses nationwide and allocated P115 million in standby funds for relief operations. Disaster response vehicles and equipment are also on hand for swift deployment.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), meanwhile, has ordered preemptive or mandatory evacuations of residents in areas expected to be hit by Nando.

In an urgent advisory, the DILG instructed LGUs to prioritize the safety of people in coastal, low-lying and landslide-prone communities.

“All concerned officials must take all necessary critical actions without delay to minimize risk and protect lives and livelihoods,” the DILG said, adding that evacuation centers must be prepared and humanitarian aid readied for displaced families.

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed police commanders in affected areas to finalize contingency plans and coordinate with LGUs. Police forces from other regions are on standby for possible deployment. — Emmanuel Tupas, Bella Cariaso, Jose Rodel Clapano, Gerry Lee Gorit