Photo credit: Dost_Pagasa

Typhoon Nika (international name: Toraji) has officially made landfall over Dilasag, Aurora, and is now barreling through Northern Luzon with significant force. Here’s the latest on the situation, and what you can expect as it continues its course.

Location and Strength

As of 10:00 AM today, the center of Typhoon Nika was located near San Agustin, Isabela, packing powerful winds of 130 km/h with gusts reaching up to 180 km/h. This Category 1 typhoon is moving northwestward at a steady pace of 25 km/h. Its broad reach extends 340 km from the center, bringing the potential for powerful winds and heavy rainfall across a large area.

Areas Under Threat: Wind Warnings in Place

To keep everyone safe, PAGASA has issued several Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) based on the wind strengths expected:

- TCWS No. 4: This is the highest alert and includes the northernmost part of Aurora and extensive parts of Isabela, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and Ilocos Sur. Here, typhoon-force winds between 118-184 km/h may cause significant to severe damage, and residents are advised to take immediate precautions.

- TCWS No. 3: This affects areas in Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, parts of Cagayan, and portions of Ilocos Norte. Storm-force winds between 89-117 km/h are expected, presenting a moderate to significant threat.

- TCWS No. 2 and No. 1: Stronger winds reaching up to 88 km/h are expected to affect areas including portions of Pangasinan, Zambales, and even parts of Metro Manila.

Coastal Hazards and Storm Surge Risk

There’s a serious warning for coastal areas, with moderate to high risks of storm surge along the coastlines of Ilocos Norte, La Union, Pangasinan, and Aurora, among others. Seas are expected to reach up to 8 meters high in Isabela and parts of northern Aurora, making sea travel extremely risky.

What’s Next for Typhoon Nika?

Typhoon Nika is expected to pass through mainland Luzon and exit into the West Philippine Sea by tomorrow, where it may weaken to a severe tropical storm. As it exits the Philippine Area of Responsibility, it is expected to gradually weaken further, though it will continue to bring rainy and gusty conditions over certain areas.

Important Reminders for the Public

Everyone in affected areas should monitor weather updates and heed local evacuation orders if necessary. Keep an eye on bulletins from PAGASA and stay informed, especially if you’re in areas under higher wind signals. Safety first—let’s all do our part to stay prepared and support each other during this storm.