Signal No. 3 in 7 areas as Typhoon Nona approaches

Signal No. 3 has been raised over several areas in eastern Philippines as Typhoon Nona continued its approach toward the Philippines.

In its intermediate bulletin on Sunday night, state weather bureau PAGASA raised Signal No. 3 over Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Albay and Ticao Island, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar.

Signal No. 2 was up over Masbate including Burias Island, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Romblon and Southern Quezon, Leyte and Biliran.

PAGASA warned that storm surges of up to 3.6 meters are possible over the areas under signals 2 and 3.

As of 7 p.m. Sunday, the eye of the typhoon was located at 380 km East of Catarman, Northern Samar.

PAGASA estimated rainfall amount from moderate to heavy within the 300 km diameter of the typhoon.

Signal No. 1 was up over Marinduque, Oriental Mindoro and rest of Quezon, Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz and Negros Occidental, Dinagat province and Siargao Island.

The state weather bureau also said that public storm warning signal number 1 may be raised over Metro Manila, the rest of Southern Luzon, and Aklan and Capiz.

Regional forecasts

In its regional weather forecast for the National Capital Region and nearby provinces for 6 p.m. Sunday until 6 a.m. Monday, PAGASA reported that partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains will prevail over Netro Manila and the rest of the NCR-PAGASA Regional Services Division (NCD-PRSD).

For northern Luzon, PAGASA forecasts cloudy skies with light rains over Cagayan Valley; and partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated light rains over Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region and the Province of Aurora.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from Northeast will prevail over Northern Luzon and Province of Aurora and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Occasional rains with gusty winds will be experienced over Dinagat and Siargao island, while pAGASA forecasts cloudy skies with light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms over the rest of Mindanao.

5-day forecast

In its 6 p.m. update, PAGASA forecast Nona's movements over the next few days:

• 24 hours (Monday afternoon): 10 km North of Catarman, Northern Samar
• 48 hours (Tuesday afternoon): 50 km East Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro
• 72 hours (Wednesday afternoon): 140 km West of Calapan City
• 96 hours (Thursday afternoon): 220 km West of Coron, Palawan
• 120 hours (Friday afternoon): 440 km West of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan
(Outside PAR)

Preparations

President Benigno Aquino III earlier ordered all concerned agencies to prepare local communities that might be in Nona's path.

"Inihahanda na ang mga komunidad para sa posibleng paglikas kung matatayang malalagay sa panganib ang kanilang kalagayan. Kaya ito ay pinaghahandaan na ng lahat ng ahensya ng pamahalaan," Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told state-run dzRB on Sunday.

Coloma added that Aquino has ordered the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other agencies to preposition resources and relief goods in areas that have been identified by weather bureau PAGASA. — Aya Tantiangco/BM/JST, GMA News