‘Nona’ lashes Romblon, weakens

Typhoon Nona (international name Melor) slightly weakened as it continued to traverse Sibuyan Island early Tuesday.

As of 5a.m., the typhoon was approaching the island of Banton, Romblon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Storm signals were hoisted over the following areas:

Signal No. 3:

LUZON: Mindoro Provinces including Lubang Island Marinduque and Romblon

Signal No. 2

LUZON: Burias Islands, Southern Quezon, Batangas and Calamian Group of Islands

Signal No. 1

LUZON: Metro Manila, Masbate including Ticao Island, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Rizal, Northern Palawan, Bataan and rest of Quezon

VISAYAS: Aklan, Capiz, Antique and Iloilo

Nona packed maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 170 kph.  It is forecast will bring heavy to at times intense rain within its 250 kilometer radius

The typhoon moved west at 15 kph and was expected to pass by Mindoro provinces in the afternoon.  It was last tracked 40 kilometers north-northeast of Romblon, Romblon.

Pagasa warned of storm surges of up to 3 meters in areas under Signals No. 2 and 3. Flashfloods and landslides are also likely.

Nona is expected to leave the Philippine landmass on Tuesday evening and exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Friday, a separate report from Panahon.TV said.