Typhoon Nina maintains strength, rains in some parts of Luzon loom

MTSAT ENHANCED-IR Satellite Image as of 6:32 pm , 09 October 2012

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Nina maintained its strength as it moved a bit slowly Tuesday afternoon.

Nina was now moving at 7 kilometers per hour, bringing in heavy to intense rains within its 600 kilometers, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said.

The typhoon was last located 1,000 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 120 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 150 kph.

Bicol Region, Visayas and Zamboanga Peninsula will have occasional light to moderate rains or thunderstorms. Metro Manila and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms. Moderate to strong winds blowing from the north to northwest will prevail over Luzon and coming from the northwest to west over Eastern Visayas and coming from the northwest to west over the rest of the country. The coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

Nina was expected to exit the Philippine territory by Friday morning.