Super typhoon Nando maintained its strength moving west northwest over the Philippine Sea, PAGASA said in its 5 p.m. cyclone bulletin.

The weather bureau warned of heavy rainfall due to the super typhoon and the Southwest Monsoon.

Signal No. 3 is hoisted over the southern portion of Batanes (Mahatao, Uyugan, Basco, Ivana, Sabtang), Babuyan Islands, and the northeastern portion of mainland Cagayan (Santa Ana).

The center of the eye of super typhoon Nando was located at 450 km East of Aparri, Cagayan. It is moving west northwestward at 15 kilometers per hour with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 230 km/h.

"On the forecast track, the center of Nando may pass close or may make landfall over Batanes or Babuyan Islands by Monday afternoon or evening. It may exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility by Tuesday early morning," PAGASA said.

It is forecast to further intensify before it approaches extreme Northern Luzon, it added. -- LDF, GMA Integrated News