Typhoon Mina hits Cagayan; 3 areas under storm signal 4

By on 7:49 PM

Source: gmanews.tv

At least three areas were placed under Storm Signal No. 4 early Saturday as Typhoon Mina (Nanmadol) moved toward Cagayan province, state weather forecasters said.

The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said Mina was some 90 km northeast of Tuguegarao City as of 4 a.m. Saturday.

“Ito umaaligid sa silangang bahagi ng Cagayan, ang estimated landfall ay between 5 and 6 a.m.," PAGASA forecaster Manny Mendoza said in an interview on dzBB radio.

PAGASA, in its Twitter account, said the eye wall of Mina hit Cabutunan Point at the eastern coast of Gonzaga town at about 5:30 a.m.

On the other hand, Mendoza said a high-pressure area north of the Philippines may divert Mina to Hong Kong instead of to Taiwan.

“Papunta ito Taiwan pero dahil may high-pressure area (HPA) sa northern part ng Taiwan. Dahil dun, may possibility mag-move pakanluran si Mina," he said.

PAGASA’s 5 a.m. advisory said Mina packed maximum sustained winds of 195 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 230 kph, and is forecast to move northwest at 9 kph.

It is forecast to be 150 km north of Aparri, Cagayan Sunday morning; 150 km north northwest of Basco, Batanes Monday morning; and 330 km north of Basco, Batanes Tuesday morning.

Areas under Storm Signal No. 4 are:

Northern Cagayan

Calayan

Babuyan Group of Islands

Under Storm Signal No. 3 are:

Isabela

Rest of Cagayan

Batanes Group of Islands

Under Signal No. 2 are:

Northern Aurora

Quirino

Ifugao

Mt. Province

Kalinga

Apayao
Under Signal No. 1 are:
Rest of Aurora

Nueva Vizcaya

Nueva Ecija

Benguet

La Union

Ilocos Sur

Ilocos Norte

Abra

PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals, and residents in Southern Luzon and Visayas to be alert about possible flash floods and landslides.

It said those living in coastal areas should be alert against big waves or storm surges generated by Mina.

The estimated rainfall amount from within the 600-km diameter of Mina is from 15 to 25 mm per hour, it said.