MANILA, Philippines - Super Typhoon Nando (Ragasa) became even stronger on Sunday evening, September 21, just less than a day away from its possible landfall in Cagayan province's Babuyan Islands.
Nando's maximum sustained winds increased to 205 kilometers per hour as of 11 pm on Sunday, from 185 km/h at 5 pm and 195 km/h at 8 pm. Its gustiness is now up to 250 km/h.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Nando may either "maintain its strength or further intensify before it approaches extreme Northern Luzon." Its possible peak intensity, previously predicted to be 205 km/h, could reach 220 km/h.
The super typhoon was last spotted 350 kilometers east northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, or 360 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan, at 10 pm. It continues to move west northwest at 15 km/h.
PAGASA has zeroed in on Babuyan Islands as Nando's potential landfall site, and the super typhoon is now seen to hit land at an earlier time -- either late morning or early afternoon of Monday, September 22.
Nando is also enhancing the southwest monsoon or habagat.
Moderate to torrential rain due to the super typhoon will persist in Northern Luzon and Central Luzon, while the southwest monsoon is causing moderate to intense rain mainly in portions of Southern Luzon.
Nando
Sunday evening, September 21, to Monday evening, September 22
Monday evening, September 22, to Tuesday evening, September 23
Tuesday evening, September 23, to Wednesday evening, September 24
Southwest monsoon
Sunday evening, September 21, to Monday evening, September 22
Monday evening, September 22, to Tuesday evening, September 23
Tuesday evening, September 23, to Wednesday evening, September 24
Storm-force winds (89 to 117 km/h), moderate to significant threat to life and property
Gale-force winds (62 to 88 km/h), minor to moderate threat to life and property
Strong winds (39 to 61 km/h), minimal to minor threat to life and property
The highest possible tropical cyclone wind signal due to Nando is Signal No. 5.
The southwest monsoon and the trough of the super typhoon are bringing strong to gale-force gusts to these areas as well:
PAGASA added that there is still a high risk of "life-threatening" storm surges with peak heights above 3 meters in Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur in the next 24 hours. View the specific cities and municipalities here.
With Nando approaching extreme Northern Luzon, certain seaboards remain unsafe on Monday.
Up to very rough, high, or very high seas (travel is risky for all vessels)
Up to rough seas (small vessels should not venture out to sea)
Up to moderate seas (small vessels should take precautionary measures or avoid sailing, if possible)
Nando is the Philippines' 14th tropical cyclone for 2025, and the fourth for September. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by early Tuesday morning, September 23.
Aside from Nando, PAGASA is monitoring a low pressure area (LPA) that formed outside PAR on Sunday. It was located 1,525 kilometers east of northeastern Mindanao at 10 pm.
The LPA still has a low chance of developing into a tropical depression within 24 hours. - Rappler.com