Nika out of PAR, intensifies into tropical storm

Tropical Depression Nika has intensified into a tropical storm as it exited the Philippine area of responsibility, PAGASA said Monday.

In its 24-hour forecast, the state weather bureau said Nika exited PAR at 11 a.m. and intensified into a tropical storm at 2 p.m.

Nika was seen 520 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur at 4 p.m.  It is moving west northwestward at 20 km per hour and has a maximum sustained winds of 65 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 80 kph.

It is forecasted to reach severe tropical storm category on Tuesday morning. It will make landfall over Hainan Province in Southern China on Tuesday afternoon or evening.

Meanwhile, PAGASA said the combined effects of Nika and the southwest monsoon will bring light to moderate with at times heavy rains over Metro Manila, Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, Camarines provinces, Mindoro provinces, and Palawan.

PAGASA advised affected residents to prepare for possible flash floods or landslides during heavy or prolonged rainfall.

The southwest monsoon and the northeasterly surface windflow will also bring strong winds with occasional gusts over the northern and western sections of Luzon.

Hazards affecting coastal waters

Gale warning is in effect over the seaboards of Batanes, Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Zambales, and Bataan due to rough to very rough seas.

“Sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small sea crafts,” PAGASA said.

Meanwhile, moderate to rough seas will be experienced over the other seaboards of Luzon. Those with small sea crafts are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea.

Moreover, PAGASA also spotted a new low pressure area located 540 km east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte.

The LPA is bringing scattered rain showers over Dinagat Islands, Surigao provinces, and Davao Oriental.

It is forecasted to move generally northwestward towards the Bicol Region-Eastern Visayas area from Monday to Wednesday and is likely to develop into a tropical depression within 48 hours.—AOL, GMA News