Severe Tropical Storm “Nika” (international name: Toraji) slightly decelerated over the Philippine Sea east of Aurora, but is still forecast to reach typhoon category before landfall over Isabela and northern Aurora yesterday morning.

In its 8:00 p.m. bulletin yesterday, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the center of “Nika” was located 335 kilometers east northeast of Infanta, Quezon with maximum sustained winds of 110 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 135 kph.

“‘Nika’ is forecast to reach typhoon category today and may reach its peak intensity of around 130 kph prior to landfall. A short period of weakening is expected as ‘Nika’ traverses the landmass of Luzon due to land interaction,” Pagasa said.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 3 is hoisted over the southeastern portion of Isabela and the northern portion of Aurora.

Areas under TCWS No. 2 are the southern portion of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, the northeastern portion of Pangasinan, the central portion of Aurora, the southern portion of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the southern portion of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija.

TCWS No. 1 is declared over the rest of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Apayao, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the rest of Pangasinan, the rest of Aurora, Tarlac, the northern and central portions of Zambales, the rest of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, the eastern portion of Laguna, the eastern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and the northeastern portion of Albay. (PNA)