‘Mina’ intensifies, moves slowly towards N. Luzon–Pagasa

PAGASA-DOST MTSAT-EIR Satellite Image for 1pm, 26 August 2011

MANILA, Philippines – Typhoon Mina (International codename: Nanmadol) intensified further as it slowly moved closer to Northern Luzon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Friday.

In its latest bulletin, Pagasa said that Mina was seen 170 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora and was now packing 150 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 185 kph.

Mina is forecast to move northwest at 9 kph.

Signal No. 3 remains raised over Isabela, Cagayan and Northern Aurora, while Signal No. 2 is still up over Batanes, Calayan, Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao, Kalinga, Quirino and the rest of Aurora province.

Meanwhile Ilocos Norte, Abra, Ilocos Sur, Mt. Province, Benguet, Ifugao, Nueva Vizcaya and Nueva Ecija are under Signal No. 1.

“Residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under Public Storm Warning Signals, Southern Luzon and Visayas are alerted against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this tropical cyclone,” Pagasa said.

Estimated rainfall amount is from 15 to 25 millimeters per hour within the 600 kilometer diameter of Mina. The typhoon is also forecast to enhance the southwest monsoon, Pagasa said.

Southern Luzon and the Western sections of Central Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience monsoon rains becoming widespread rains over Coron, Mindoro and Western Visayas which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.

Meanwhile, the rest of the country will be mostly cloudy with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms.

By Saturday morning, Mina is forecast to be 100 km northeast of Tuguegarao City and on Sunday morning, 40 km south-southeast of Basco, Batanes.

By Monday morning, the typhoon is expected to be 190 km north of Basco, Batanes.