Manila: Super Typhoon Nando continued to pound Northern Luzon with destructive winds and heavy rains on Monday as it moved away from the Babuyan Islands, according to the state weather bureau.

According to Philippines News Agency, as of 4 p.m., despite its westward movement, Nando maintained peak intensity with maximum sustained winds of 215 kph and gusts of up to 295 kph, leaving large parts of Northern Luzon under multiple tropical cyclone wind signals (TCWS).

Signal No. 5 remained hoisted over the Babuyan Islands, where typhoon-force winds prevail, as of posting time. At the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon briefing on Monday, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Assistant Weather Services – Research Development and Training Division chief Wilfredo Tuazon said they were not expecting Nando to change track.

Meanwhile, TCWS No. 4 was hoisted in the southern portion of Batanes (Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, Uyugan, Sabtang), the northern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana, Santa Praxedes, Claveria, Sanchez-Mira, Pamplona, Abulug, Ballesteros, Aparri, Buguey, Santa Teresita, Gonzaga, Camalaniugan), and the northern portion of Ilocos Norte (Pagudpud, Burgos, Bangui, Dumalneg, Adams). TCWS No. 3 was in effect over the rest of Batanes, the central portion of mainland Cagayan (Lal-Lo, Gattaran, Baggao, Alcala, Santo Ni±o, Lasam, Allacapan, Rizal, Amulung, Piat), the northern and central portions of Apayao (Flora, Santa Marcela, Pudtol, Luna, Calanasan, Kabugao), and the rest of Ilocos Norte.

The rest of mainland Cagayan, Isabela, the rest of Apayao, Abra, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the northern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Bakun, Kibungan), the northeastern portion of Nueva Vizcaya (Diadi), Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of La Union (Sudipen, Bangar, Luna, Balaoan, Santol) were placed under TCWS No. 2. TCWS No. 1 was hoisted in Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the rest of Benguet, the rest of La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Zambales, and the northern portion of Quezon (General Nakar) including Polillo Islands.

The southwest monsoon and Nando will continue to cause strong to gale-force gusts across Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Mimaropa, the Visayas, and Mindanao. Gale warning was also in effect over the seaboard of Northern Luzon.

PAGASA said there is a high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights exceeding three meters within the next 24 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Batanes, Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Ilocos Norte, and Ilocos Sur. “This could cause significant damage to communities, coastal marine infrastructures and disruptions to all marine-related activities,” Tuazon said.