Nona now a typhoon; 7 areas under signal number 2

MANILA, Philippines – Severe Tropical Storm Nona (international name Melor) strengthened into a typhoon.

In its bulletin issued 5:40 pm on Sunday, December 13, state weather bureau PAGASA said Typhoon Nona was last spotted 440 kilometers east of Catarman, Northern Samar. It is moving west at 19 kilometers per hour (km/h).

Nona intensified, with maximum winds of 140 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 170 km/h.

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

Signal number 2 is now raised over the following areas:

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

These provinces, meanwhile, are under signal number 1:

• Southern Quezon
• Marinduque
• Romblon
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Masbate including Burias Island
• Biliran
• Leyte
• Southern Leyte
• Northern Cebu including Camotes Island
• Dinagat
• Siargao Island

PAGASA said signal number 1 could also be up in Metro Manila, the rest of Southern Luzon, Aklan, and Capiz by Sunday night.

Nona is expected to make landfall in the Samar-Sorsogon area on Monday, December 14, between 9 am and 11 am.

Flash floods, landslides, and storm surges up to 3.6 meters high are possible in areas in the typhoon’s path.

“Pwede pong magbigay ng pinsala si Nona (Nona could bring damage),” warned PAGASA official Vicente Malano in a press briefing late Sunday afternoon.

Forecasters also said that Nona will linger in the country for the next 5 days. It is projected to exit landmass on Wednesday, December 16, but it will only leave the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Friday, December 18.

Earlier, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said the government is not taking any chances.

“We should not underestimate the dangers posed by this storm,” said NDRRMC chief Undersecretary Alexander Pama.

The next bulletin on Nona will be issued at 11 pm, December 13. – Rappler.com