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(Image courtesy of Pagasa)

MANILA, Philippines —  Tropical Storm Nika (international name: Toraji) has intensified into a severe tropical storm as it likewise undergoes rapid intensification, according to the state weather bureau.

This means Nika may reach the typhoon category within the day, based on the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s (Pagasa) 5 a.m. cyclone update.

READ: Nika may reach peak intensity before landfall on Monday – Pagasa

The severe tropical storm was last spotted 690 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon.

It carries maximum sustained winds of 100 kilometers per hour (kph) and gusts of up to 125 kph.

Nika is moving north-northwestward at 30 kph.

Amid this development, Pagasa said the following areas remain under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) 1:

• The southern portion of Cagaya (Tuguegarao City, Peñablanca, Enrile, Solana, Iguig)
• The rest of Isabela
• Quirino
• Nueva Vizcaya
• The southeastern portion of Kalinga (City of Tabuk, Rizal, Tanudan)
• The eastern portion of Mountain Province (Paracelis, Natonin, Barlig)
• Ifugao
• The eastern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Tayug, Natividad, San Quintin, Umingan)
• The rest of Aurora
• Nueva Ecija
• The northeastern portion of Pampanga (Candaba, Arayat)
• The northern and eastern portions of Bulacan (Norzagaray, San Miguel, San Ildefonso, San Rafael, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Angat)
• The eastern portion of Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, San Francisco, Pagbilao, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, San Narciso, General Nakar including Polillo Islands Camarines Norte
• Camarines Sur
• Catanduanes
• The northeastern portion of Albay (Malinao, Tiwi, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Rapu-Rapu)

The state weather service said that the highest wind signal that could be raised in affected areas is TCWS No. 4.

Nika is forecast to make landfall over Isabela or Aurora on Monday (11 November) afternoon.