Disaster agency on red alert for 'Lawin'

MANILA -- The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDDRMC) has been placed on red alert as it prepares for the possible effects of Tropical Storm "Lawin."

In a text message, NDRRMC head Benito Ramos said a red alert status means authorities would be on a "full force" for any possible disaster.

The agency was previously on a blue alert status before raising it to red on its 8 a.m. update.

The NDRRMC said the regional centers of the Office of Civil Defense have been directed to undertake precautionary measures in their respective areas of responsibility.

Local disaster management councils have been advised also to initiate pre-emptive evacuation of families in low-lying and mountainous areas if the situation demands.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services (Pagasa) said that as of 4 a.m., Lawin was seen 670 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes.

It has maximum center winds of 65 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 80 kph. Lawin is forecasted to move west at 11 kph.

Pagasa said Metro Manila will experience partly cloudy skies with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Occasional light to moderate rains will be experienced in Ilocos region and Cagayan Valley. However, moderate to heavy rains will occur in this area during thunderstorms.

The rest of the country will have partly cloudy skies with brief rainshowers or thunderstorms mostly in the afternoon or evening.

Moderate to strong winds blowing from the east will prevail over Extreme Northern Luzon and its coastal waters will be moderate to rough.

Elsewhere, winds will be light to moderate coming from the southwest to west with slight to moderate seas. (Emmanuel Louis Bacani/Sunnex)