Nika expected to exit Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday

Tropical Depression Nika is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday, PAGASA said.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGASA said Nika may also intensify into a tropical storm on Monday then into a severe tropical storm by Tuesday morning.

Due to the effects of Nika and Habagat, moderate to heavy rains are expected over Pangasinan, Zambales, Bataan, Northern Palawan including Calamian and Kalayaan Islands, and Lubang Island.

Light to moderate with at times heavy rains will be experienced in Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and the rest of Central Luzon.

PAGASA  warned of possible flooding and rain-induced landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards.

“On the forecast track, ‘Nika’ will make landfall over Hainan Province in southern China on Wednesday afternoon or evening,” PAGASA said.

The enhancement of Habagat 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, according to PAGASA.

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, PAGASA said.

“Sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small seacraft,” it warned.

“Moderate to rough seas will be experienced over the other seaboards of Luzon.

Those with small seacrafts are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea,” it added.

At 10:00 a.m. on Monday, Nika was located at 340 km west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h and gustiness of up to 70 km/h moving westward at 15 km/h.

The state weather bureau is also monitoring a Low Pressure Area east of Mindanao, at 435 km East of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur

“It is forecast to move northwestward towards Bicol Region-Eastern Visayas area today through Wednesday and is likely to develop into a Tropical Depression within 48 hours,” it added.

Aside from these tropical disturbances, PAGASA is also monitoring Tropical Depression Chan-Hom located at 2,295 km east northeast of Extreme Northern Luzon. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News