Severe Tropical Storm Nika, also known as Toraji, has intensified as it approaches the Philippines, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Storm Signal No. 3 in multiple regions. As of 1 a.m. on November 10, Nika was located 190 km east of Baler, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h and gusts reaching 135 km/h.
With the storm moving west at 25 km/h, the affected areas have increased from seven to eleven under Signal No. 3. The Department of the Interior and Local Government has urged local officials to suspend classes at all levels in regions expected to be severely impacted. Evacuations are also underway in around 2,500 barangays across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Nika is projected to make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora, potentially reaching typhoon strength within the next 12 hours. Following landfall, the storm is expected to traverse mainland Luzon and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by the afternoon of November 11.
In addition, PAGASA forecasts intense rainfall exceeding 200 mm in Aurora, Isabela, Cagayan, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Kalinga, and Apayao. Heavy rainfall between 100 to 200 mm is anticipated in Abra, Benguet, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur, while moderate to heavy rainfall is expected in Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, La Union, and Pangasinan.