Authorities in the Philippines prepared Monday for Typhoon Nesat to make a landfall within the next day, threatening Manila and other parts of Luzon Island.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the storm, about 217 miles east-southeast of Casiguran, Aurora, strengthened into a typhoon as it moved west-northwest at about 10.6 mph, the Inquirer reported.
The storm, locally called Pedring, was expected to make landfall Tuesday in Aurora province in central Luzon.
Alerts were issued for several provinces, including Quezon and
Aurora, and for metropolitan Manila. Residents were urged to monitor
weather updates as meteorologists issued warnings of heavy rains,
landslides, flash floods, strong winds, storm surges and tornadoes.
GMA News reported PAGASA as urging people to avoid travel by bus or sea vessels.
"If you can skip your travel, skip it. In areas with storm signals, ferries and [load-carrying vessels] will not be allowed travel," the agency said.
The Philippine Star reported at least 16 domestic flights were canceled Monday as the storm intensified.