By: Aliahcorr Balanon
A low-pressure area (LPA) that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Nov. 9. Photo Courtesy: DOST PAGASA.
A low-pressure area (LPA) that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Nov. 9, Saturday intensified into a Tropical Depression with ‘Nika’ as its local name. According to Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the LPA entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility at 2 AM, becoming a tropical depression by 8 AM.
Nika was located 1,150 kilometers east from Southern Luzon as a low pressure area at 3 AM.
As of 10 AM today, Nov. 9, Nika was traveling 1,145 kilometers east of Southern Luzon, still far from landfall and is yet to affect any part of the country PAGASA specialist Daniel James Villamil said during the morning weathercast.
RAINFALL
Starting Sunday, Nov. 10, Tropical Depression Nika is expected to affect parts of Luzon which may experience moderate to heavy rainfall, according to PAGASA during its noontime briefing on Saturday.
Sunday noon, November 10, to Monday noon, November 11
Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 millimeters): Cagayan, Isabela, Aurora, Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes
Monday noon, November 11, to Tuesday noon, November 12
Intense to torrential rain (more than 200 mm): Cagayan, Apayao, Isabela
Heavy to intense rain (100-200 mm): Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Aurora
Moderate to heavy rain (50-100 mm): Ifugao, Quirino
WINDS
Catanduanes is placed under Signal No. 1 at 11 AM on Saturday due to the anticipation of strong winds of brought forth by Nika. This early warning allows the province to prepare within 36 hours for the strong winds.
PAGASA warns that Nika could possibly reach Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3.
Additionally, strong to gale-force winds are to be expected to hit Batanes, northern Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and Ilocos Norte on Sunday.
Sea conditions are also expected to be moderate to rough in the next 24 hours.
Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea)
Northern and eastern seaboards of Catanduanes; seaboard of Kalayaan Islands – waves up to 3 meters high
Up to moderate seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible)
Seaboards of Isabela, northern Aurora, and Camarines Norte; northern and eastern seaboards of Polillo Islands and Northern Samar; northern seaboard of Camarines Sur; eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon – waves up to 2.5 meters high
Remaining seaboards of Cagayan Valley; seaboard of Ilocos Region; western seaboards of Zambales, Bataan, Lubang Islands, Occidental Mindoro, Calamian Islands, and mainland Palawan; eastern seaboards of Camarines Sur, Eastern Samar, and Dinagat Islands – waves up to 2 meters high
PAGASA expects Nika to make landfall in Isabela or Aurora on Monday, Nov. 11. However, the weather bureau warns the rest of Luzon to also prepare for the tropical cyclone,
“hazards may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast confidence cone,”
Nika is expected to intensify gradually. It may strengthen into a tropical storm by Sunday morning, Nov. 10, and a severe tropical storm by Monday morning, Nov. 11, before making landfall.