Tropical storm ‘Nando’ gains strength; Batanes now under Signal No. 2

MT Satellite image August 27, 2013, 5:32AM. Screengrab from https://www.pagasa.dost.gov.ph/

MANILA, Philippines—Batanes was placed under Signal No. 2 (previously Signal 1) early Tuesday as tropical storm “Nando” (international name: Kong-Rey) gained strength and continued to move north northwest, the state weather bureau said.

The the following areas remained under Signal No. 1, according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration:
— Cagayan
— Calayan
— Babuyan Group of Islands

— Apayao
— Isabela

The storm was last observed 200 kilometers east of Aparri, Cagayan, packing maximum sustained winds of 75 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 90 kph.

It continued to move at a speed of 15 kph north northwest.

Heavy to intense rains were seen within its 400-kilometer diameter.

Light to moderate, at times heavy, rains and thunderstorms over the rest of Luzon are forecast as Nando will enhance the southwest monsoon, Pagasa said.

Sea travel is risky over the western seaboard of Central and Southern Luzon.