Nona intensifies; more areas under storm signals

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Nona (international name Melor) intensifies as it continues to threaten the eastern part of the Philippines, state weather bureau PAGASA said Sunday evening, December 13.

In the 11 pm severe weather bulletin, the typhoon now has maximum winds of 150 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center, and gustiness of up to 185 kph. It is moving west at 19 kph.

The eye of Typhoon Nona was located 325 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar.

While the same 7 areas remain to be placed under storm signal #3, PAGASA added additional provinces under storm signals #2 and #1.

Public storm warning signals are hoisted over the following areas:

Signal #3:

• Catanduanes
  
• Sorsogon
  
• Albay including Ticao Island
  
• Northern Samar
  
• Eastern Samar
  
• Samar

Signal #2:

• Masbate including Burias Island
  
• Camarines Sur
  
• Camarines Norte
  
• Marinduque
  
• Romblon
  
• Southern Quezon
  
• Leyte
  
• Biliran

Signal #1:

• Oriental Mindoro
  
• Batangas
  
• Laguna
  
• rest of Quezon
  
• Southern Leyte
  
• Noethern Cebu including Bantayan and Camotes Islands
  
• Aklan
  
• Capiz
  
• Northern Negros Occidental
  
• Dinagat Island
  
• Siargao Island

Estimated rainfall amount is from moderate to heavy within the 300-kilometer diameter of the typhoon, according to the bulletin.

PAGASA added that it is possible to raise storm warning signal 1 over the rest of Southern Luzon and Metro Manila on Sunday evening. – Rappler.com