Storm Signal No. 4 raised over northern Cagayan

MANILA, Philippines - The state weather bureau this afternoon raised public storm warning Signal No. 4 over areas in northern Cagayan as typhoon "Mina" blew maximum sustained winds of 195 kilometers per hour with gustiness of up to 230 kph.

"Typhoon Mina has further intensified and continues to endanger Northern Luzon," the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its weather bulletin issued at 5 p.m. today.

The typhoon's eye was estimated at 150 kilometers northeast of Casiguran, Aurora. It was moving very slow at 9 kilometers per hour at a northwestward direction.

The weather bureau has also raised Signal No. 3 over Isabela, the rest of Cagayan, Calayan including Babuyan Group of Island and Batanes Group of Island. signal No. 2 has been hoisted over Northern Aurora, Quirino, Ifugao, Mt. Province, Kalinga and Apayao.

Other areas in Aurora province, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte and Abra have been placed under Signal No. 1.

An earlier report by the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said that a fisherman has been reported missing in Cagayan province due to the strong winds spawned by the storm.

PAGASA said that areas within the 600 kilometer diameter of the typhoon will experience an estimated rainfall amount of 15 to 25 millimeters per hour.

Areas under public storm warning signals may be hit by landslides and flashfloods, the weather bureau said. It said that provinces in Southern Luzon and Visayas may also be threatened by the storm.