MANILA, Sept. 20 -- "Nando" has intensified into a severe tropical storm and is expected to enhance the southwest monsoon as it approaches landmass.

As of 5 a.m. Saturday, Nando was located 780 km. east of Casiguran, Auora, packing maximum sustained winds of 100 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 125 kph, and moving northwestward at 10 kph.

Wind Signal No. 1 may be hoisted over Northern Luzon within the day, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said.

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