The latest typhoon news from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said that at 4:00 AM on January 18, the center of Typhoon Ada (international name Nokaen) was located at 14.2 degrees north latitude, 125.3 degrees east longitude, about 135km east-northeast of Virac (Catanduanes province). The strongest sustained wind near the center of the typhoon was 75 km/h, gusting at 90 km/h, center pressure 996 hPa.
Despite moving slowly in the east-northeast direction, Ada's strong winds stretched up to 440km, causing the scope of impact to far exceed the expected landing area.
PAGASA has issued Category 2 storm warning (TCWS No.2) to Catanduanes and the eastern part of Camarines Sur province, including the Caramoan peninsula.
According to warnings, these areas may experience strong winds of 62-88 km/h within 24 hours, threatening the safety of life and property.
At sea, the waves were very strong, up to 4.5m high along the northern coast of Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur and Catanduanes, forcing all ships to stay at port or seek safe shelter.
The most serious consequence occurred in Matnog town, Sorsogon province, where 2 young people - a 23-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman - died when a landslide caused by heavy rain at night destroyed their sleeping house.
These are the first victims recorded of the storm at the beginning of the year, showing the danger level not only from storms but mainly from prolonged rain causing landslides.
In the neighboring province of Albay, heavy rain caused flooding and landslides in many localities, cutting off many roads and bridges. Landslides and fallen trees blocked roads in the town of Guinobatan, while a small landslide in Tiwi paralyzed local traffic. In Manito, torrents swept away a bamboo bridge connecting two residential areas, isolating many households.
The threat is further increased by the risk of lahar - volcanic mud - from Mayon volcano. The Daraga town government has had to evacuate more than 500 households in villages located on the mountainside and along the mud drainage streams. Many areas are overflowing with water, the spillway cannot circulate, forcing people to leave their homes at night.
Not stopping in the Bicol area, Typhoon Ada also heavily affected the eastern Visayas. Nearly 18,000 households, equivalent to more than 40,000 people, were affected.
Eastern Samar province is the most affected area, especially in coastal towns and low-lying areas.
Rescue forces in Tacloban City promptly rescued a 9-year-old girl swept away by floodwaters, while bad weather also triggered fires in Leyte and Northern Samar. Many power poles were knocked down, causing widespread power outages.
According to forecasts, Typhoon Ada will continue to move in an offshore orbit east of Luzon Island, gradually weakening into a tropical depression on January 20 and then into a low pressure area on January 22.
However, officials warn that heavy rain and strong winds may still occur outside the forecast range, showing that the impact of the storm at the beginning of 2026 is not only in intensity, but in the long chain of risks it leaves behind.
According to PAGASA's storm forecast, Typhoon Ada will not enter the East Sea and will not affect Vietnam.
