(Eagle News)–Tropical Depression “Nika” is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility today.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said so far “Nika” has maintained its strength, and is forecast to move generally west or west-northwestward over the northern portion of the West Philippine Sea.
It will make landfall over Hainan Province in southern China on Wednesday afternoon or evening.
PAGASA said “Nika” will continuously intensify over the West Philippine Sea over the next 24 hours, and is forecast to reach the tropical storm category today and the severe tropical storm category by Tuesday morning.
Today, the combined effects of “Nika” and the southwest monsoon will bring moderate to heavy rains over Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Northern Palawan (including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands), and Lubang Island, PAGASA said.
Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and the rest of Central Luzon.
The weather bureau said flooding (including flashfloods) and rain-induced landslides may also occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall.
No tropical cyclone wind signal is in effect but the enhancement of both the southwest monsoon and the northeasterly surface windflow will bring strong winds with occasional gusts over the northern and western section of Luzon, especially in coastal and mountainous areas.
A gale warning is in effect over the seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan due to rough to very rough seas.
Moderate to rough seas, on the other hand, will be experienced over the other seaboards of Luzon.
Those with small seacraft are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea.
PAGASA said it was also monitoring a low pressure area east of Mindanao 435 km east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur.
This is forecast to move northwestward towards the Bicol Region-Eastern Visayas area today through Wednesday and is likely to develop into a Tropical Depression within 48 hours.
Tropical Depression “Chan-Hom,” estimated 2,295 km east northeast of extreme Northern Luzon, is also being monitored.
