Nika moving away from PH landmass; Wind Signal No. 3 lifted

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Nika (international name: Toraji) is moving further away from the country’s landmass as it maintains its strength.

As of 11:00 p.m. on Monday, Nika was last spotted 80 kilometers west of Sinait, Ilocos Sur, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (km/h) near the center with gustiness of up to 150 km/h, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Nika is moving northwestward at 30 km/h, away from the country’s landmass after making landfall in northern Luzon.

As the severe tropical storm moves further, Pagasa also lifted the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3.

Only TCWS No. 2 remains over Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Abra, where winds of greater than 62 km/h and up to 88 km/h may be expected for at least 24 hours, causing minor to moderate impacts to life and property.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 1—or wind speed of 39 to 61 km/h, which may lead to minimal to minor threat to life and property—are still raised in La Union, the northwestern portion of Pangasinan, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, and the northwestern portion of Isabela.

Nika is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday morning.