Nika to trigger storm surge at Ilocos Region; warning up

Severe Tropical Storm Nika (international name: Toraji) is predicted to generate a storm surge in low-lying areas of the Ilocos Region, prompting the government to raise a warning on November 12, 2024. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said an estimated storm surge of 1 meter to 2 meters may be expected within 48 hours in affected areas. The state weather agency advised the cancellation of all marine activities as a precaution, as a storm surge may cause minimal to moderate damage to communities and coastal infrastructure and disruptions to marine-related activities. Satellite image from DOST / Pagasa

MANILA, Philippines — Severe Tropical Storm Nika (international name: Toraji) is predicted to generate a storm surge in low-lying areas of the Ilocos Region, prompting the government to raise a warning.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said on Tuesday morning that an estimated storm surge of 1.0 meter to 2.0 meters may be expected within 48 hours in the following areas:

Ilocos Norte

• Bacarra
• Badoc
• Bangui
• Burgos
• Currimao
• Laoag City
• Pagudpud
• Paoay
• Pasuquin

READ: Nika weakens as it crosses West Philippine Sea; Signal No. 2 lifted

Ilocos Sur

• Cabugao
• Caoayan
• City of Candon
• City of Vigan
• Magsingal
• Narvacan
• San Esteban
• San Juan (Lapog)
• San Vicente
• Santa
• Santa Catalina
• Santa Cruz
• Santa Lucia
• Santa Maria
• Santiago
• Santo Domingo
• Sinait

According to Pagasa, the storm surge may cause minimal to moderate damage to communities and coastal infrastructure and disruptions to marine-related activities.

It advised the cancellation of all marine activities as a precaution.

READ: Nika devastates Isabela, Aurora

Pagasa reported in a separate advisory that Nika was last spotted 185 kilometers west of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte. Near its center, it had maximum sustained winds of 95 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 115 kph.

Nika is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility within 12 hours, it added.