Severe Tropical Storm Nika nears typhoon strength, expected to make landfall Monday

Severe Tropical Storm Nika, internationally known as Toraji, is moving west at 20 kph and maintaining maximum sustained winds of 110 kph with gustiness up to 135 kph, nearing typhoon strength.

Nika is expected to reach peak intensity with winds around 130 kph before making landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora on Monday morning or early afternoon.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 2 is raised over 15 Luzon areas, including northern Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, southern Cagayan, Nueva Vizcaya, southern Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, northern Nueva Ecija, southern Ilocos Sur, La Union, and northeastern Pangasinan.

These areas may experience winds of greater than 62 kph and up to 88 kph in at least 24 hours, which may cause light to moderate damage to high-risk structures.

The storm is forecast to traverse mainland northern Luzon, where a short period of weakening is expected, and emerge over the West Philippine Sea by Monday evening.

Nika is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday afternoon.

PAGASA stated that Nika will be classified as a typhoon once its maximum wind speed reaches between 118 and 184 kph.