'Lawin' intensifies; Samar still under signal no. 1
-A A +AMonday, September 24, 2012
MANILA (Updated) - Public storm warning signal no. 1 remains hoisted over Samar provinces as Typhoon “Lawin” (international name: Jelawat) intensified further while moving north northwestward, the state weather bureau said Sunday.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said as of 10 p.m. Sunday, Lawin was spotted 395 kilometer East of Catarman, Northern Samar.
Lawin's wind speed has increased from 140 kilometers per hour (kph) to 165 kph and gustiness from 170 kph to 200 kph, but it has a small chance to make landfall, weather forecaster Chris Perez earlier said.
“Based on our models as of now, hindi na po inaasahan na mag-landfall between 2-3 days, but the weather agency continues to monitor the possible scenario,” Perez said.
Typhoon Lawin is moving north northwest at 9 kph. Perez said Lawin will bring rains over the Visayas and Mindanao while localized thunderstorms will affect Luzon, including Metro Manila.
Pagasa said public storm warning signal no. 1 remains hoisted over Samar provinces, which are expected to experience 30-60 kph winds within the next 36 hours.
It advised residents living in low-lying and mountainous areas under the storm signal to be on alert against possible flashfloods and landslides.
Fishing boats and other small seacraft were also advised not to venture into the eastern seaboard of Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao due to big waves generated by Lawin.
Almost 2,000 passengers bound for Luzon have been stranded in Northern Samar due to Typhoon Lawin on Sunday.
In its advisory, Pagasa said the Samar provinces will experience rains and gusty winds. Palawan, Bicol Region, Mindanao and the rest of the Visayas will have cloudy skies with occasional moderate to heavy rains which may trigger flashfloods and landslides.
In Cebu, cloudy skies, rainshowers and thunderstorms are expected as Typhoon Lawin moves northwest, a Mactan weather bureau official said.
Boy Artiaga, Pagasa weather observer, said the wind in Metro Cebu was moderate while coastal waters were also moderate and light vessels are allowed to travel.
Typhoon Lawin is expected to be at 640 km east of Infanta, Quezon by Monday evening; 500 km East of Casiguran, Aurora by Tuesday evening; and 430 km East of Aparri, Cagayan by Wednesday evening. (PNA/BAP of Sun.Star Cebu/Sunnex)
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