(Satellite image from DOST/Pagasa)

MANILA, Philippines – Tropical Storm Nika (international name: Toraji) has intensified as it moved westward over the Philippine sea, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Sunday.

In a bulletin issued at 2 p.m., Nika was last seen about 425 kilometers (km) east of Infanta in Quezon, with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts up to 135 km/h.

The state meteorological bureau said strong and storm-force winds could extend outward from the center for up to 340 km.

Pagasa also reported that Nika is expected to strengthen into a typhoon by Sunday and could reach peak intensity before making landfall in Isabela or Aurora on Monday morning or early afternoon.

Due to these developments, Pagasa has issued Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. raised 2:

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• Northern and central parts of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler)
• isabella
• Quirino
• Southern part of Cagayan (Solana, Iguig, Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Enrile)
• Nueva Vizcaya
• kalinga
• Mountain Province, Ifugao, eastern part of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Kabayan, Itogon, Bokod, Atok)
• Northern part of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan)
• Northeastern part of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin)

Strong winds with speeds ranging from 62 to 88 km/h, TCWS No. It is expected to affect areas within scope 2, posing a minor to moderate threat to life and property.

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Meanwhile, the following areas where strong winds of 39 to 61 kilometers per hour can be expected are under TCWS No. Placed below 1:

• Babuyan Islands Rest of Cagayan including Apayao
• abra
• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Rest of Pangasinan
• La Union
• rest of Benguet
• Rest of Aurora, Tarlac
• Northern and central parts of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan, San Marcelino, San Felipe, San Narciso)
• Rest of Nueva Ecija
• pampanga
• Bulacan
• Metro Manila
• Rizal
• Eastern part of Laguna (Santa Maria, Mabitac, Pakil, Pangil, Famy, Siniloan, Paete, Kalayaan, Cavinti, Lumban, Luisiana, Santa Cruz, Magdalena, Pagsanjan, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pila, Victoria)
• Eastern part of Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, San Francisco, Pagbilao, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, San Narciso, General Nakar, Lucban, Tayabas City, Lucena City) including Pollilo Islands
• Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduans
• Albay (Malinao, Tiwi, Bacacay, Tabaco City, Malilipot, Rapu-Rapu)

Pagasa also issued a storm warning for the eastern coast of Southern Luzon.

TO READ: Heavy rain warning in Luzon, Visayas due to Tropical Storm Nika