A cyclone approaching the country from the east is not likely to make landfall, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said Thursday.

Pagasa forecaster Elvie Enriquez said early Thursday that the cyclone, with international code-name “Nida,” will be named Vinta upon entering Philippine territory.

“Sa ngayon mabagal ang kilos ni ‘Nida.’ Kung papasok sa Philippine area of responsibility, maaring dito lang sa karagatan at di dadaan sa lupa (As of now, Nida is moving slowly. If it enters the Philippine area of responsibility, it will likely remain at sea and not make landfall),” Enriquez said in an interview on dzBB radio.

On the other hand, the Japan Meteorological Agency’s 5 a.m. (Manila time) report indicated Nida is moving north-northwest. Also, tt described Nida as “very intense.”

JMA’s forecast for Thursday also indicated Nida has maximum wind speeds of 115 knots near the center and gusts of up to 165 knots.

The Joint Typhoon Warning Center described Nida as a “super typhoon,” and that it is moving “toward the Philippines.”

Meanwhile, Pagasa said that despite the weakening of tropical depression Urduja into a low-pressure area, threats of flash floods and landslides still loom over North Mindanao.

“Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms becoming widespread rains over Northern Mindanao which may trigger flash floods and landslides. Visayas and Palawan will have mostly cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms while the rest of Luzon will be partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated light rains,” Pagasa said in its 5 a.m. bulletin.

-gmanews