Shipping is on alert after a tropical cyclone warning issued on September 23 by Philippine’s PAGASA, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. As it is reported, the super typhoon Nando maintains its strength as it moves towards southern China.
A huge and powerful typhoon is headed toward southern China after lashing the Philippines with winds and heavy rainfall.
The Philippines’ meteorological agency issued its tropical cyclone bulletin on September 23 at 11:00 pm for the super typhoon Nando, warning of “heavy rainfall outlook,” “severe winds,” and “hazards affecting land areas.”
“NANDO is forecast to move generally west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea in the next 12 hours before turning more westward over the waters south of mainland China,” PAGASA said on September 23, adding that it may make landfall over southern China today evening or on Thursday, September 25 early morning.
The typhoon will likely maintain its strength before beginning to weaken due to marginally favorable environment over the waters south of mainland China and the increasing frictional effects due to proximity to land.
Further weakening is expected post landfall today evening.
The Hong Kong Observatory has announced in its tropical cyclone warning bulletin on September 23 that winds with mean speeds of 63 kilometres per hour or more are expected from the northwest quarter.
According to its forecast on September 23, super typhoon Ragasa will be closest to Hong Kong on Wednesday (24 September) morning, skirting around 100 kilometres to the south of the territory. Its hurricane force winds are expected to edge close to Hong Kong gradually. Local winds will strengthen further overnight.
The Observatory warned yesterday that the weather will be persistently adverse today with frequent heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. “Seas will be phenomenal with swells and overtopping waves over the shoreline, which will be particularly significant along the eastern and southern coasts,” it said.
More updates from the Observatory regarding the super typhoon Ragasa can be found here.
