'Nina' intensifies into a storm

MANILA, Philippines – Storm signal number one has been raised over the Bicol and Samar provinces as tropical depression “Nina” intensified into a storm yesterday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said.

Meteorologist Ludy Alviar said that as of 4 p.m. yesterday, Nina (international name Hagupit) continued to gain strength, prompting them to elevate her status from a tropical depression into a storm.

Storm signal no. 1 has been raised over Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay, Legaspi, Sorsogon, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar and Western Samar.

Nina’s maximum sustained winds went up from 85 kph to 95 kph near the center and its gustiness soared from 100 kph to 120 kph.

“Nina enhanced the southwest monsoon and is expected to bring in more rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. There would be scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms in the whole country,” said Alviar.

The storm was spotted at 520 kms East of Virac, Catanduanes and is moving west northwest at 15 kph.

Alviar added that Nina is not forecast to make landfall. – Evelyn Macairan