Super Typhoon Nando Intensifies, Bears Down on Northern Luzon

Super Typhoon Nando Reaches Peak Intensity Over Philippine Sea

Super Typhoon Nando, internationally known as Ragasa, rapidly intensified over the Philippine Sea on Sunday, September 21, 2025, officially reaching super typhoon status. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported that as of 10 p.m. on September 21, the center of Super Typhoon Nando was located approximately 360 kilometers east of Calayan, Cagayan.

The powerful weather system was packing maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour (kph) near its center and gusts of up to 250 kph. It was observed to be moving west-northwestward at a speed of 15 kph. Earlier in the day, at 8 a.m. PHT, PAGASA had already declared Nando a super typhoon, with its center located 555 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, carrying winds of 185 kph and gusts of 230 kph.

Threat of Violent Winds, Torrential Rains, and Storm Surges

Super Typhoon Nando is forecast to continue its westward trajectory, posing a severe threat to extreme Northern Luzon. The eye of the super typhoon is expected to pass very close to or potentially make landfall over the Babuyan Islands or Batanes between Monday afternoon and evening, September 22. PAGASA has warned of 'violent winds, torrential rains, and storm surge above 3 meters' that could lead to life-threatening conditions in the immediate path of the super typhoon.

Specific hazards include:

• Life-threatening storm surges exceeding 3 meters in low-lying coastal areas of Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan Islands), Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur.
• Torrential rains across Northern Luzon, with widespread and serious flooding and landslides likely.
• Extremely rough seas with wave heights reaching up to 14 meters over the seaboards of Batanes and Babuyan Islands, making conditions perilous for all marine vessels.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals Raised Across Northern Philippines

In response to the intensifying typhoon, PAGASA has raised various Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals (TCWS) across numerous provinces. As of late September 21, Signal No. 5 was raised over the northern portion of the Babuyan Islands. Signal No. 3 was in effect for Batanes, Babuyan Islands, and northeastern mainland Cagayan.

Other areas under lower wind signals include:

• Signal No. 2: The rest of Cagayan, Isabela, Apayao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, northern portion of Benguet, northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of La Union.
• Signal No. 1: The rest of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Kalinga, Abra, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Benguet, the rest of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, northern portion of Zambales, northern and central portions of Nueva Ecija, northern and central portions of Tarlac, and Aurora.

Preparedness Measures and Evacuations Underway

Authorities have initiated preemptive measures to ensure public safety. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) reported that over 2,700 individuals have been preemptively evacuated across Northern and Central Luzon. Furthermore, Malacañang has declared the suspension of classes and work in government offices in 30 areas for Monday, September 22, 2025, due to the expected heavy rains from Super Typhoon Nando and the enhanced southwest monsoon.

Super Typhoon Nando is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) by early Tuesday morning, September 23. Residents in affected areas are strongly advised to remain vigilant, monitor official weather bulletins, and adhere to local government directives for their safety.