Severe tropical storm Nona intensifies

MANILA—Severe tropical storm Nona continues to intensify as it reaches the Samar-Bicol area on Sunday.

As of the 11 a.m weather bulletin from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), the severe tropical storm has maximum sustained wind of 110 kilometer per hour and gustiness of 140 kilometers per hour. Nora was located in Catarman, Northern Samar.

Pagasa has put 11 areas in public storm warning signal no. 1, namely, Albay; Biliran; Burias and Ticao Islands; Camarines Sur; Catanduanes; Dinagat province; Eastern Samar; Leyte; Masbate; Northern Samar; Samar; Sorsogon; and Southern Leyte.

Pagasa has also advised that public storm warning signal no. 1 may also be raised in Camarines Norte, southern Quezon, Marinduque, and Romblon.

No classes in Albay

Albay Governor Joey Salceda has ordered the Albay Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to issue an advisory on suspension of classes in all levels on Monday.

The suspension of classes in all levels in Albay was prompted by the public storm warning from Pagasa, Salceda told Inquirer.net.

The local government of Albay is also considering the suspension marine operations in the ports of Legazpi, Tabaco and Pio Duran.

Storm preparedness

Palace Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr., in a radio interview with DZRB, said that the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) had conducted pre-disaster risk assessment and had coordinated with local government units expected to be affected by severe tropical storm Nona.

The NDRRMC has also prepared food packs and other emergency items. Despite the absence of evacuation orders, the military has been put on standby.