Typhoon Nina (international codename Hagupit) has maintained its strength and was on course towards extreme northern Luzon, the state weather bureau PAGASA said Sunday.

In PAGASA's 5 p.m. Severe Weather Bulletin Number 8, Nina was spotted 420 kilometers east northeast of Casiguran, Aurora, with maximum sustained winds of 120 kilometers per hour near the center and gusts of up to 150 kph.

Public Storm Warning Signal No. 2 has been raised over Cagayan, the Babuyan Group of Islands, the Calayan Group of Islands and Isabela.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 is currently raised over Catanduanes, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, northern Quezon, Polilio island, Aurora, Quirino, Nueva Ecija, Nueva Vizcaya, Pangasinan, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Benguet, La Union, Ilocos Sur, Ilocos Norte, Kalinga, Abra, Apayao and Batanes.

Aside from the areas mentioned no other areas are under a public storm warning signal, and storm warning signals elsewhere have been lowered.

Nina is currently moving west northwest at 19 kph, and was forecast to be 130 km northeast of Aparri, Cagayan Monday afternoon and 300 km northwest of Laoag City by Tuesday afternoon.

The typhoon will also continue to enhance the southwest monsoon and bring rains over Luzon and Visayas, particularly over the western sections.

"Residents in low lying areas and near mountain slopes are advised to take all the necessary precautions against possible flashfloods and landslides. Likewise, those living in coastal areas under storm signal # 2 are alerted against big waves or storm surges generated by this typhoon," the bulletin said.

"The public and the disaster coordinating councils concerned are advised to take appropriate actions and watch for the next bulletin to be issued at 11 p.m. today (Sunday)," PAGASA added.