'Nando' intensifies into tropical storm; storm alert up over 5 Luzon areas

MANILA, Philippines - Five areas in Luzon were placed under public storm warning signal number one as "Nando" intensified into a tropical storm, the state weather bureau said Monday afternoon.

The Philippin Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that as of 4 p.m., the storm's center was estimated at 270 kilometers east of Casiguran, Aurora.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gustiness of up to 80 kph. It was moving northwest at a speed of 15 kph.

The storm was expected to move over the waters off Basco, Batanes by Tuesday and Wednesday before heading towards Taiwan on Thursday afternoon.

Public storm warning signal number one has been raised over Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan including Calayan, Babuyan Group of Islands, Apayao and Isabela provinces.

PAGASA said the estimated rainfall amount within the storm's 400 kilometer diameter is 10 millimeter to 20 millimeter (heavy to intense).

Metro Manila and other parts of Southern Luzon should expect heavy rains and thunderstorms as the storm is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon.

The National Risk Reduction and Management Council has put all its units in the affected areas on alert.