Nika weakens into severe tropical storm; Wind Signal No. 4 lifted

MANILA, Philippines — Typhoon Nika (international name: Toraji) weakened from a typhoon to a severe tropical storm on Monday evening, according to state meteorologists.

As of 8:00 p.m., Nika was last spotted over the coastal waters of Magsingal, Ilocos Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour and with a gustiness of 185 kph, reported the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

In line with this development, Pagasa also lifted Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 in areas of Luzon.

READ: After Nika, another typhoon may enter PAR

Here are the areas under TCWS No. 3, where 89 to 117 kph are expected, causing moderate to significant threat to life and property:

• The southern portion of Apayao (Conner, Kabugao)
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Mountain Province
• Ifugao
• The northern portion of Benguet (Buguias, Mankayan, Bakun)
• The southern portion of Ilocos Norte (Laoag City, Sarrat, San Nicolas, Piddig, Marcos, Nueva Era, Dingras, Bacarra, Solsona, Paoay, Currimao, Pinili, Badoc, City of Batac, Banna)
• Ilocos Sur

READ: LIVE UPDATES: Typhoon Nika

Meanwhile, the following areas are under TCWS No. 2, where winds of greater than 62 kph and up to 88 kph may be expected in at least 24 hours, causing minor to moderate impacts to life and property:

• The southwestern portion of Cagayan (Iguig, Alcala, Amulung, Santo Niño, Lasam, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Allacapan, Ballesteros, Aparri, Camalaniugan, Enrile, Tuguegarao City, Solana, Tuao, Piat, Rizal)
• The eastern portion of Isabela (Santo Tomas, Alicia, San Mateo, Aurora, Santa Maria, Quezon, Ramon, Roxas, Luna, Delfin Albano, City of Santiago, Reina Mercedes, San Manuel, Cabatuan, Quirino, San Isidro, Mallig, Burgos, Cordon, Cabagan)
• The northern portion of Quirino (Diffun, Cabarroguis, Saguday), the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Bambang, Kayapa, Santa Fe, Aritao, Quezon, Bayombong, Ambaguio, Solano, Bagabag, Diadi, Villaverde, Dupax del Sur, Dupax del Norte, Kasibu)
• La Union
• The rest of Ilocos Norte
• The rest of Apayao
• The rest of Benguet

TCWS No. 1 was also hoisted over the following areas, with winds of 39 to 61 kph, which may pose a minimal to minor threat to life and property:

• Pangasinan
• The rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands
• The rest of Isabela
• The rest of Quirino
• The rest of Nueva Vizcaya
• Tarlac
• The northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan)
• Nueva Ecija
• Aurora

Additionally, Nika is seen to further weaken before exiting the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday.

“Nika is forecast to continue to weaken for the next days and may become a remnant low over the sea near southern China,” Pagasa said. “Nevertheless, it will remain as a severe tropical storm throughout its passage within the PAR region.”