The Super Typhoon Nando (international name: Ragasa) has hit the Babuyan Islands and is now heading towards the West Philippine Sea. According to PAGASA, it has maximum sustained winds of 215 kph and gustiness of up to 295 kph, prompting the raising of Signal No. 5 over the Babuyan Islands. Several areas in Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, and Metro Manila are still experiencing heavy rains and winds.
Classes in public and private schools are still suspended in most parts of Metro Manila, Ilocos, Benguet, Cagayan, La Union, Pangasinan, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Rizal. Some air and sea trips have also been canceled for the safety of passengers.
More than ₱5,000 families or 14,000 people were preemptively evacuated ahead of Nando's arrival, according to the Office of Civil Defense. The others are from Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Cordillera. Landslides and flooding were reported, including a road collapse in La Union and rockslides on Baguio and Marcos Highway.
Brownouts were also recorded in several provinces such as Abra, Batanes, Batangas, Benguet, Cagayan, Ifugao, La Union, Ilocos Norte, Pangasinan and Mountain Province. More than 350,000 households were affected. ₂.4 million sacks of rice from the National Food Authority and other assistance are on hand for those affected.
Meanwhile, PAGASA is monitoring a low-pressure area outside the PAR that could develop into a typhoon later in the day. All residents in low-lying and landslide-prone areas are reminded to remain alert and follow local government advisories.
