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By Edg Adrian A. Eva<\/strong>, Journalist<\/em><\/p>\n Tropical Storm Nando is anticipated to escalate into a typhoon or potentially a super typhoon as it progresses toward Northern Luzon, where tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS) of up to Signal No. 5 may be raised, as per the state weather agency on Friday.<\/p>\n \u201cAs it approaches our nation\u2026 it is predicted to further strengthen, and by tomorrow it may evolve into a typhoon, and by Monday, a super typhoon,\u201d Nathaniel T. Servando, head of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), stated during a press conference.<\/p>\n Nando, with sustained winds of 85 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts reaching up to 105 kph, was positioned 915 kilometers east of Central Luzon, progressing westward at 20 kph, according to PAGASA\u2019s 2:00 p.m. update.<\/p>\n During the prediction period, PAGASA weather expert Benison Jay N. Estareja mentioned that Tropical Storm Nando is not yet directly impacting any region of the country.<\/p>\n Nonetheless, if it adheres to the anticipated route, it may influence extreme Northern Luzon and could either pass closely or make landfall over the Babuyan Islands between Monday afternoon and early Tuesday morning.<\/p>\n PAGASA indicated that starting Saturday, TCWS may be elevated in several regions and could be intensified as Nando draws nearer.<\/p>\n Nando is also expected to bolster the ongoing Southwest Monsoon, delivering heavy rainfall to areas not directly influenced by the cyclone in the coming days.<\/p>\n Mr. Servando urged individuals in regions that might be impacted by the storm to take prompt measures.<\/p>\n \u201cAct swiftly, secure your residences, and heed any possible measures that may be instituted by your local authorities to mitigate the impact of Nando,\u201d he advised.<\/p>\n In the meantime, the former typhoon Mirasol, now called Mitag internationally, exited the PAR on Thursday and continues to move further away.<\/p>\n As per an 8:00 am situational report released Friday by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), over 64,000 individuals, or approximately 17,500 families, have been affected by the cumulative effects of Mirasol, Nando, and the Southwest Monsoon, especially in Regions II, CAR, III, V, and VI.<\/p>\n