Tropical Depression Nika maintains its strength and is about to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), Pagasa said on its latest weather bulletin.
At 10:00 AM today, the center of Tropical Depression Nika was estimated based on all available data at 340 km West of Sinait, Ilocos Sur (17.6 °N, 117.2 °E ).
It is moving Westward at 15 km/h with a maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
Tropical Depression Nika is forecast to move generally west or west-northwestward over the northern portion of the West Philippine Sea throughout the forecast period. It is likely to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility today. On the forecast track, “NIKA” will make landfall over Hainan Province in southern China on Wednesday afternoon or evening.
Nika will continuously intensify over the West Philippine Sea over the next 24 hours. It is forecast to reach the tropical storm category today and severe tropical storm category by Tuesday morning.
Today, the combined effects of “NIKA” and the Southwest Monsoon will bring moderate to heavy rains 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 over the Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, and the rest of Central Luzon.
Nika to exit PAR by Monday – Pagasa
Flooding (including flash floods) and rain-induced landslides may occur during heavy or prolonged rainfall especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards. PAGASA Regional Services Divisions may issue local thunderstorm/rainfall advisories and heavy rainfall warnings as appropriate.
Pagasa said no tropical cyclone wind signal is in effect. However, the enhancement of both the Southwest Monsoon 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.
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. Sea travel is risky over these areas, especially for those using small seacrafts.
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.