Nando intensifies into typhoon

Cyclone Nando has strengthened into a typhoon and may further intensify into a super typhoon by Monday as it approaches extreme northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) warned.

- By GHIO ONG

As of 2 p.m. yesterday, Nando was spotted 770 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela.

It carried maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph, moving northwest at 10 kph.

PAGASA said the system could peak at 185 kph sustained winds near the center before reaching northern Luzon.

In its 5 p.m. tropical cyclone bulletin, PAGASA raised Signal No. 1 over Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Isabela, Quirino, the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Apayao, Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, the northern portion of Ilocos Sur, the northern and central portions of Aurora and the northern and central portions of Catanduanes. Winds of up to 61 kph are expected in these areas within 36 hours.

Authorities warned of storm surges reaching up to three meters along coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Ilocos Sur in the coming days.