Typhoon Mina weakens slightly, moves toward Taiwan

Typhoon "Mina" (Nanmadol) weakened slightly as it continued to move northwestward Saturday afternoon, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said. Meanwhile, Taiwan weather authorities have also issued a sea warning for Mina, which they said will bring rain and strong wind to northern and eastern Taiwan. In its 5 p.m. advisory, PAGASA said Mina was estimated at 50 km northeast of Aparri, Cagayan, with maximum sustained winds of 165 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph. PAGASA said Mina was forecast to move northwest at 7 kph and be some 230 km north-northwest of Aparri, Cagayan Sunday afternoon; and 490 km north of Aparri, Cagayan or 280 km north-northwest of Basco, Batanes Monday afternoon. By Tuesday afternoon it is expected to be 500 km northeast of Basco, Batanes. Areas under Storm Signal No.3 include:

• Cagayan
• Babuyan Group of Islands
• Calayan Group of Islands
• Apayao
• Batanes

Under Storm Signal No. 2 are:

• Ilocos Norte
• Ilocos Sur
• Abra
• Kalinga
• Mt. Province
• Ifugao
• Isabela

Under Signal No. 1 are:

• La Union
• Benguet
• Pangasinan
• Nueva Ecija
• Nueva Vizcaya
• Quirino
• Aurora

PAGASA reminded residents in low-lying and mountainous areas under storm signals, and those in Southern Luzon and Visayas to be alert against possible flash floods and landslides. Mina was estimated to bring 15 to 25 mm per hour of rainfall from within its 600-km diameter. Meanwhile, Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau (CWB) issued a sea warning for Nanmadol Saturday morning. The CWB did not rule out the possibility of issuing a land warning on the typhoon, with the possible timing being Saturday evening at the earliest. — LBG, GMA News