TROPICAL Storm Nika, moving west at 35 kilometers per hour (kph), is expected to gradually intensify into a severe tropical storm before making landfall over Isabela or Aurora on Monday afternoon or evening, a the state weather office announced on Saturday.

In its bulletin at 5:00 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) noted that the storm’s center was estimated at 1,005 kilometers east of southeast Luzon, with maximum sustained winds of 65 km/h in close to the center and gusts of 80 km/h.

Signal no. 1 is located in the southeastern part of Isabela, the northern part of Aurora, the southeastern part of Mainland Quezon, Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and the northeastern part of Albay.

Pagasa said the highest wind signal that could be raised during the storm is signal no. 3.

The weather bureau also said the northeasterly wind flow will bring strong gusts to typhoons over Batanes, northern Cagayan, including the islands of Babuyan and Ilocos Norte on Sunday.

“In the forecast track, land may fall over Isabela or Aurora Monday afternoon or evening. Regardless of the position of the landfall point, it should be emphasized that hazards may still be experienced in areas outside the landfall point or forecast cone of confidence,” the weather office said.

“This tropical cyclone is expected to gradually intensify and may reach severe tropical storm status by Monday morning before landfall. Weakening is expected during its passage due to interaction with the land of mainland Luzon, but Nika will remain… a severe tropical storm. “, he added.

From Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon, Cagayan, Apayao and Isabela are forecast to experience heavy to torrential rains, while they will be heavy to heavy in Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Aurora . Ifugao and Quirino may also experience moderate to heavy rains during the forecast period.