'Mina' moves to Northern Luzon; storm signals raised

MANILA, Philippines - Storm warning signal no. 2 was raised in Isabela, Cagayan and northern Aurora yesterday as typhoon “Mina” (international name “Nanmadol”) intensified, moving closer to Northern Luzon, the weather bureau said yesterday.   

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) also raised signal no. 1 in the rest of Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, Apayao, Calayan, Babuyan and Batanes Group of Islands as of 5 p.m. yesterday.

As of 4 p.m., the eye of the storm was spotted 260 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora with maximum sustained winds of 140 kilometers per hour (kph) near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph.

It was forecast to move west northwest at seven kph.

PAGASA said estimated rainfall amount is from 15 to 25 millimeters per hour within the 500 km diameter of the typhoon.

PAGASA weather branch chief Robert Sawi said Metro Manila will experience rainshowers this weekend because of the enhanced southwest monsoon. 

Mina is predicted to be 150 kms northeast of Casiguran, Aurora by this afternoon and 210 kms north-northeast of Tuguegarao City or 110 kms southeast of Basco, Batanes by tomorrow afternoon. It will be 160 kms north of Basco by Sunday afternoon.

PAGASA said coastal waters throughout the archipelago will be moderate to rough.

Villagers in low-lying and mountainous areas have been warned about possible floods and landslides. Those living along coastal areas are alerted against big waves or storm surges. Fishing boats and other small seacraft are advised not to venture out to sea while larger sea vessels are alerted against big waves.

 PAGASA weather forecaster Raymund Ordinario said the typhoon may not hit land but is expected to bring heavy rains because of its wide cloud band and slow movement.

Mina is the 13th tropical cyclone to enter the country this year and the first weather disturbance this month.           

Incessant rains caused by the weather disturbance triggered a landslide in the village of Tugaya in Aurora town, Zamboanga del Sur at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday.  

Provincial police director Senior Superintendent Jose Bayani Gucela said landslide affected the highway connecting Aurora to Kapatagan town. Traffic was redirected to Tukuran town. “Fortunately, the incident occurred Tuesday night and no one was reported hurt nor (was there) property and infrastructure damage,” Gucela said.        The provincial engineer’s office has responded to the incident and has declared the highway passable.

In Bukidnon, at least three people, including a seven-year old child, died in flashfloods that struck parts of the province.  

According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Council (PDRRC), hundreds of residents were evacuated as the rains caused flashfloods and landslides in the town of Lantapan as well as in areas near Fortich Bridge in Valencia City.

 The victims were identified as Ernesto Gahinay, 40, and his seven-year-old child Marmar, both from Lantapan. Another victim reported to have died due to the floods was from Valencia.

The provincial government of Bukidnon immediately extended financial assistance to those who perished in the floods as well as to those affected. – With Roel Pareo, Edith Regalado, AP