Typhoon 'Nona maintains strength; makes landfall in Northern Samar

MANILA -- Typhoon "Nona" maintained its strength and has already made landfall in Northern Samar as it continues to move westward, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Monday.

In an interview, PAGASA weather forecaster Shelley Igancio said typhoon Nona hit land in Batag Island in Northern Samar around 11 a.m.

Ignacio said as of 12 p.m. the eye of the typhoon Nona was located in the vicinity of Modragon, Northern Samar or 20 km east of Catarman, Northern Samar (12.6°N, 124.8°E), packed with maximum sustained winds of 150 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 185 kph.

She also said the typhoon continues to move west at 17 kph, and if it maintains its speed and movement, it is expected to make another landfall in Sorsogon province early tonight, then cross Albay and Burias Island.

She further said the typhoon is expected to exit landmass by Wednesday and PAR on Friday towards southern Vietnam.

Nonot added the typhoon is expect to weaken due to interaction in landmass and presence of cold winds coming from the northeast monsoon.

Meanwhile, public storm warning signal (PSWS) no. 3 (121-170 kph expected in 18 hours) is raised over the provinces of Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon and Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands in Luzon; Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Samar and Biliran in Visayas.

Public storm warning signal no. 2 (61-120kph expected in 24 hours) is raised in the provinces of Camarines Norte, Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Batangas, Laguna and Southern Quezon in Luzon and Leyte in the Visayas.

Signal no. 1 (30-60 kph expected in 36 hours) is hoisted over Metro Manila, Bataan, Bulacan, Lubang Island, Coron, Cavite, Rizal, the rest of Quezon including Polillo Island in Luzon; Southern Leyte, Northern Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands, Aklan, Capiz, northern Negros Occidental and northern Iloilo in Visayas; Dinagat province and Siargao Island in Mindanao.

Flashfloods and landslides are expected over areas under signal # 2 and 3, while storm surges of up to 4 meters are possible.

The estimated rainfall amount is from heavy to at times intense within the 300 km diameter of the typhoon.

Typhoon Nona is expected to be in the vicinity of Gasan, Marinduque on Tuesday morning.

By Wednesday morning, it is forecast to be at 200 km west of Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro and by Thursday morning, at 260 km West of Coron, Palawan

By Friday evening, it is expected to be at 370 km west of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan and by Saturday evening, 735 km west southwest of Puerto Princesa City, Palawan or outside PAR. (PNA)